TNAG-1142-FCO40-1422-Hong-Kong-and-the-Falkland-Islands-crisis-1982 — Page 23

Mr Giffard

CONFIDENTIAL

Hrese

FALKLAND ISLANDS OFFICE (FIO)

1.

02012

Pin ulb

D210/%

Mr. Clift o.r.

44

I have copied to WIAD

TSED for them to let us have

appropriate details for their tertones,

I have asked M.

Williamson

prepare

to

note on

HKGO.

9/6

This London pressure group has been active for many the years in representing Falklands interests to parliamentarians, the press and others in this country. The Governor told me today that he now understood from the FIO that they felt their role was being overtaken by events.

See(45

2. The Governor feels that there will be a big role for a Falkland Islands Office in London, but that the time is now approaching when such an organisation should be set up under HMG's auspices and not as an independent organ. The Governor says that there are a large number of applicants to emigrate to the Falklands and that such an office could usefully process applications. It might also handle some aspects of funds being set up for the Islands (about which I have invited the Governor to minute separately) and liaise with the ODA and development organisations here. Mr Hunt thinks that it would best be run by a former Governor.

3. Such a project would of course involve public expenditure and it would be interesting to know whether any other colonial territories have offices of this sort in London and how they are financed.

4.

I would welcome Mr Fearn's comments on this after his return next week and also those of HKGD.

9 June 1982

cc:

Mr Fearn o/r

Mr Clift, HKGD

Burs

JB Ure

CONFIDENTIAL