TNAG-0845-FCO40-1055-Visits-of-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-officials-to-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 209

RESTRICTED

is the last possible date on which he can leave if he is to reach the New Hebrides in time for the Constitutional Conference on the dates already agreed with the French (17-19 September): and afterwards he cannot reach Singapore until late on 20 September.

5.

Mr Blaker hopes the Secretary of State would agree that he should take the opportunity of the Recess for brief familiarisation visits to a few of the countries for which he is responsible. Apart from the trip to Kiribati in July for the Independence Celebrations, he has made no such visit. Mr Blaker is fully aware of the Secretary of State's decision that we should avoid being drawn into further difficulties over Vietnamese refugees.

6.

Mr Blaker would like Mr Murray to accompany him on the South East Asia part of the proposed tour. The composition of the official party for the New Hebrides Constitutional Conference will have to be decided nearer the time when we have a clearer picture of the difficulty of the outstanding issues.

7.

I attach a revised draft to No 10.

10 August 1979

CC:

PS/PUS Mr

Cortazzi

Mr Murray

Mr Stratton

Mr Simons, SEAD

Mr Snodgrass, SPD Mr McLaren, HKGD Miss Gale, PCD

RESTRICTED

CA

Munro PS/Mr Blaker