TNAG-1029-FCO40-1279-Visits-by-FCO-officials-to-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 136

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Mr Goulden, PSD

(CG 406)

некогока

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 57

19 FEB 1931

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

мо

PA

$10.5

REGISTRY

Action Taken

VISIT TO HONG KONG AND PEKING BY MR AND MRS P WILLIAMSON A

1. When it was agreed that Mr Williamson, who is on secondment from the Hong Kong Government as Head of the Hong Kong Section, should extend his tour, it was also agreed that he and his wife should pay a mid-tour visit to Hong Kong. This was to enable Mr Williamson to update himself on developments in Hong Kong and to deal with certain personal matters.

2. At that time, your department agreed that the FCO should meet the costs if Mr Williamson's tour was to be extended by a year or more (your minute of 13 March 1980). It has been extended to about April 1982. However, the Hong Kong Government later agreed to pay the Williamsons' return fares to Hong Kong. We did not, therefore, pursue the question of costs with you.

I am

3. I subsequently suggested that it was desirable from the Office's point of view for Mr Williamson to go to China (my letter of 25 July to the Chief Secretary - attached). The Hong Kong Government do not object to such a visit but do not agree that it is a proper charge on them. The Embassy have no objection to the visit. therefore seeking your agreement to the Office paying the cost of Mr Williamson's travel to and from Hong Kong and his stay in Peking (3 days), Xian (2 days) and Shanghai (2 days) on the grounds set out in my letter of 25 July. Mr Williamson would be accompanied by his wife at his own expense.

Since the Williamsons leave for Hong Kong in 3 weeks, I should be most grateful for your early approval.

4.

5.

The accounting procedures for this trip, if approved, are going to be complicated. If you agree, I will suggest that the Hong Kong Government foots all the travel and subsistence costs initially and that the Office and Mr Williamson will reimburse them. The idea has already been put to them informally after oral consultation with Miss Harrison of your Briefing and Travel Unit.

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کند

R D Clift

10 February 1981

Mr Clift

HKGD K242

Hong Kong and General Department

1. We spoke about this and I have since discussed with Mr Goulden.

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