TNAG-1028-FCO40-1278-Visits-by-Members-of-Parliament-to-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 73

CODE 18-77

Mr Jack

13

NICK 026/4

Reference

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

0 8 MAY 1981

DESK OFFICER INDEX

PROPOSED FAR EAST VISIT BY MR JH AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

1.

REGISTRY

Enys

will won't

15

23/5

WIGGANion PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY

11.5

肌收

Mr Wilkes of the International Division or MAFF telephoned today to say that Mr Wiggin had been encouraged by Mr Flower's recent letter saying that the FCO saw no objection in principle to a visit in the Autumn to Thailand and Korea.

2.

It now appeared that the British Agricultural Export Council (BAEC) mission would be in Korea from 2-11 November. Mr Wiggin saw advantage in accompanying them for the first few days in order to open doors etc. The BAEC mission was subsequently to be in Japan from 12-20 November. Mr Wilkes wished to enquire at Mr Wiggin's request whether a visit to Japan by Mr Wiggin from 12-15 November would be convenient, again to open doors for the mission. After consulting you I have told Mr Wilkes that there were no obvious difficulties of which we were aware about such a visit at the time proposed. Indeed I said that Sir H Cortazzi would probably welcome it as indeed would we)as a means of broadening our contacts with the Japanese Government. Mr Wilkes Likes said that BAEC had been researching the Japanese market and were confident that they could improve sales there. I said that we would naturally strongly welcome any increase in UK agricultural exports as a means of clawing back some of the large trade deficit. Mr Wilkes said that Mr Wiggin would be discussing the proposed tour with the Minister of Agriculture tomorrow.

3.

A complication is that at present Mr Wiggin has proposed to fill in the period after his visit to Korea and before his visit to Japan by a private visit to Hong Kong. I questioned whether he realised how far the flight was and how expensive it was likely to be to fly to Hong Kong and back. Mr Wilkes said that he would look into this. He will probably be getting in touch with us about the whole tour in the next few days.

29 April 1981

cc:

Mr McDermott Mr Flower, SEAD

Mr Morrice, HKGD

H L Davies

Far Eastern Department