CONFIDENTIAL
6.
COMMUNIC
COMMUNICATIONS
a) Mr Maynard stressed that during the present industrial action no telegrams were being sent out. This would cause a great problem during the visit as if Dr Owen remains in charge of the Office as Communications Operations Department could not guarantee to keep telegrams flowing to him. (Assuming the industrial action has not
been settled.)
(b) He said that it was possible however to send tele-letters but these took approximately 3 working days in each direction.
Mr Maynard confirmed that the sending of the COI news summary would not be affected. Miss Deeves thought it would be a good idea if a short wave radio could be taken aboard the VC10 for the duration of this trip. Miss Deeves commented that all Posts would have to be fully briefed on hand-over procedures and timings of these bearing in mind the short stay at all Posts.
7.
SECURITY
(a) Mr Orme stressed how important it was to realise that safe speech would only be possible in Chancery of all Posts being visited. Members of the delegation should be made aware of this at all times during the visit. Mr Goodsir also stressed this point. Mr Orme also said that CTSD staff at Posts concerned would be alerted about this visit. (b) Mr Goodsir also agreed with PCD's suggestion that a small- detatchment of Royal Military Police would be needed for safe-hand and other guard duties in all Posts being visited ie guarding of Private and other offices.
(c) Miss Deeves asked the Security Department to produce a security brief to be given to all members of the delegation a short while in advance of their departure from the UK.
8
ENTERTAINMENT
It was expected that the Secretary of State would have to give a return banquet for the Chinese Government and the question of supplies being uplifted from Hong Kong by the VC10 was raised with the RAF. Squadron Leader Williams foresaw no difficulty in this.
9. PRESENTS
tives not ause in the.
On the question of presents it was agreed that guidance should be sought from Posts being visited by the geographical Department concerned and Miss Deeves suggested that this should be done as soon as possible and resulting information and requests for presents passed to Miss Oldershaw, PCD (telephone: 233 7820).
10. FINANCE
Diplomatic Service Vote C3(2)(e) will bear all costs of this visit except for the press and possible COI representative.
11. PRESS
When the visit has been officially announced, News Department will liaise with PCD on numbers of press travelling on the VC10.
д
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
13 March 1979
Вай JM Barpétt
Conference and Visits Section Protocol and Conference Department
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Distribution: Those present
CONFIDENTIAL
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