TNAG-0843-FCO40-1053-Visit-of-Lord-Carrington--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-1979 — Page 39

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likely to be parochial.

· 3 -

The Secretary of State can be fairly

De-

frank in speaking to the Executive Council, though there are

some subjects (eg New Territories leases, which is particularly

sensitive) on which their advice has not yet been sought.

fensive points to make are provided, together with background

notes (Brief No 8). Vietnamese refugees, the future of Hong

Kong, capital punishment, the performance of British Airways

are among the subjects likely to be raised.

9. Some members of the Executive Council may wish to raise

the question of the Governor's successor (they would do so

privately). Sir Murray MacLehose's appointment has been ex-

A new tended four times and now expires in April 1980.

Governor will need to be selected in the autumn of this year

if he is to have time to prepare himself.

PRESS CONFERENCE

10. The press conference will be open to both the international

and local press. The latter will be concerned mainly, though

not exclusively, with domestic issues. Many of the questions will be on topics which will already have been discussed with

the Executive Council, but the same line will not always be

appropriate, separate talking points are therefore provided

(Brief No 9).

SUPPORTING PAPERS

11. Copies of the following papers are attached for general

background: -

(a) The Hong Kong Annual Review or 1978

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/(b)