TNAG-0847-FCO40-1057-Visits-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-th-1979 — Page 61

COREDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIALS CO

SECRETARY

OF

STATE

not be until June 1980 that he would know for certain, though it was possible that intelligence might show before then that the rate had dropped. He would be available on the afternoon

of 25th June and the morning of 26th June for further discussions if required.

7.

The Secretary of State said that he would consider how to help Hong Kong without affecting our NATO objectives. There would be a serious problem if the flood of immigrants did not abate next year and we had not made long-term arrangements to enable the Garrison to deal with it. He would pursue with the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary the possibility of drawing on the Brunei Battalion.

Secretary of State's Office

15th June 1979

DISTRIBUTION:

7

CONFIDENTIAL

4 CONFIDENTIAL

B G Cartledge Esq PS/Prime Minister

J S Wall Esq

APS/Foreign & Commonwealth Secretary

M J Vile Esq

PS/Secretary to the Cabinet