TNAG-0846-FCO40-1056-Visits-of-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-officials-to-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 46

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Mr Quantrill

णज

MINISTER FOR OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT:

1.

Reference

нке озы?

- 7 NOV 1979

NO.

INDEX

REGIS

POSSIBLE VISIT TOL HONG KONG

Mr Neil Marten's Assistant Private Secretary telephoned this afternoon to say that the Minister would be going to New Zealand for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Meeting and wished to take the opportunity to visit one or two capitals on the way back. It might be convenient for him to stop off briefly in Hong Kong, see something of the Vietnamese refugee problem, and call on the Governor. Monday, 3 December, seemed a likely date. Did I see any objection?

2. I said that the UK provided virtually no aid for Hong Kong so there would be no official business for Mr Marten to transact there. However, Ministers were always welcome in Hong Kong and I was sure that the Hong Kong Government would be happy to arrange a programme to fit in with his wishes. The Governor would not be in Hong Kong at the time but I was sure that Sir J Cater, who would be Acting Governor, would be happy to see Mr Marten. I could not say without consulting him whether he would be prepared to put him up.

3. Mr Burner said that he would now have a further word with the Minister about the itinerary and then write the usual letter to No 10 Downing Street seeking permission. We should at that point warn Hong Kong. As the visit is likely to last for no more than 24 hours, there should be no problem. We should also have an advance word with Sir J Cater if there was a suitable opportunity before he returns.

1 November 1979

RJT McLaren

cc Mr Williamson