TNAG-0845-FCO40-1055-Visits-of-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-officials-to-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 130

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visit a new town and an industrial estate (Brief No. HK5). He will

also be visiting refugee camps, and after briefing by both the

police and the armed forces, taken to visit the border.

3. The programme also provides ample opportunities for the Minister

to discuss current problems and British Government policies towards

Hong Kong not only with the Governor and his senior officials, but

also with members of the Executive, Legislative and Urban Councils,

the business community and the press. Background briefs are pro-

vided on the principal subjects that the Governor is likely to

raise: immigration, Vietnamese refugees, the future of Hong Kong

and the New Territories leases problem, the impact in Hong Kong of

the proposed changes in British nationality law, and the Hong Kong

economy (Briefs Nos. HK3 a - e). A separate brief is also attached

on the Urban Council, mentioning in particular the campaign by some of its elected members for the Council to be given wider and more democratic powers (Brief No. HK6).

4. The Minister has agreed to make a short speech at the lunch

given by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. The Governor

has suggested that the speech should be in general terms, about

Hong Kong, the attitude of the new Government towards it and its

relations with the UK and China. A draft is attached (Brief No.

HK4). The Governor has also suggested that Mr Blaker might like to

add some personal comments based on his previous experience in Hong

Kong.

5. The visit will end with a short press conference, which the

Minister may like to open with a short statement based on his lunch-

time speech to the Chamber of Commerce. Defensive speaking notes

are attached on the principal subjects likely to be raised (Brief

No. HK7). These notes may also be drawn on to answer questions from

members of the Executive, Legislative and Urban Councils.

Also

/attached

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