TNAG-0830-FCO40-1038-Extension-of-term-of-office-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governo-1979 — Page 8

Mr Cortazzi

Cortazz

CONFIDENTIAL

[A6]

REF

37

P

136

HKA 431/393/6

*RESTRY NO. 51

DECEIVED T

3 OCT 1979

35

PA

GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG

A

1.

Lord Shawcross wrote to the Secretary of State on 18 September proposing that Sir Murray MacLehose should remain as Governor of Hong Kong for a further period.

2. The extension of Sir Murray MacLehose's appointment until April 1982 was announced this morning. I submit a self-explanatory draft reply to Lord Shawcross.

Hence

3. The Governor has, I know, discussed the problem of New Territories Leases with Lord Shawcross in general terms. the reference to this question in the third paragraph of Lord Shawcross' letter.

C.C.HKPF/MACLEHOSE/C.M.

25 September 1979

La langue

RJT McLaren

Hong Kong and General Department

iss

P.S. My Brother off to come for H. Hard.

P.S. Mr Hund

as/ix

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr P Thomas

News Department

STAFF IN CONFIDENCE

HKA 431/393/6

FACEIVED 12 S

26 SEP 1979

DESK OFFICEH

INDEX

33

PA

ле

比

GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG

Sir Murray MacLehose's appointment as Governor of Hong Kong is being extended for a further 2 years, until April 1982.

1.

2. Mr Blaker, who is currently visiting Hong Kong, will be making the following announcement at a press conference which he is giving between 1630 and 1700 (local time) tomorrow, Tuesday, 25 September:-

"The Queen has approved the extension of

Sir Murray MacLehose's appointment as Governor

and Commander-in-Chief of Hong Kong until

April 1982"

3. The Secretary of State has agreed that there should be a parallel announcement, in the same terms, in London on this occasion. I should be grateful if this could be made by News Department at 0900 tomorrow morning.

4. I attach a background note and a question and answer brief on which you may wish to draw in response to any questions.

F.C.HKA/MACLE HOSE/M.

Reagen

R J T McLaren

24 September 1979

cc (without encls) PS

PS/LPS

PS/Mr Hurd

PS/Mr Ridley PS/Mr Blaker PS/PUS

Chief Clerk Mr Cortazzi

Mr Samuel, FED

Hong Kong and General Department

STAFF IN CONFIDENCE