TNAG-1155-FCO40-1435-Visits-by-Members-of-Parliament-(MPs)-to-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 255

CODE 18.77

IN CONFIDENCE

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Mr Hope, SEAD

Mr Morris, HKGD

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Miss Vivien, FED

π pars 1/10

MP

VISIT TO FAR EAST OF MR TOM NORMANTON,

1/10

1. I spoke to Mr Normanton yesterday. He has been in direct touch with the Ambassadors to Japan and Thailand in Brussels and with the Hong Kong Office here, asking them to arrange a top-level programme for him. The Embassy in Bangkok have been approached by the MFA and ask a number of questions in telno: 538. We have heard nothing from Hong Kong or Tokyo but Mr Normanton raised a number of points about which you should inform the posts.

Bangkok

2.

Mr Normanton arrives on the dates and times given in para 4 of telno: 538. His wife will be taking part in the whole trip but they always travel on separate 'planes. They will be staying at the Oriental Hotel.

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3. Mr Normanton told me that his programme should start on Monday, 11 October when he is free for appointments all day. On Tuesday and Wednesday, he would welcome half-day appointments. He would welcome informal contact with the Ambassador at some time during the weekend of arrival but is not asking for any assistance.

-NR

4. On subjects for discussion, he has said he wants to discuss Community, rather than UK, relations with Thailand with the Foreign Minister. From the Defence Minister, he wishes to acquire better understanding of Thai defence equipment procurement policy. He regards Defence as a special interest of his and talked of strengthening the European Community link with Thailand in this area. With the Minister of Finance, he wants a tour d'horizon of Thailand's financial relationships with the rest of the world and to discuss overseas aid and trade. I gather he has a connexion with the Midland Bank and although he is not going on bank business, he said he would be reporting back to them. With the Minister of Commerce he wants to discuss commercial relations with the Community, of which textiles form a part. He describes his visit as 'private but political'. He said that, as a past-President of the International Textile Manufacturers' Association, of which the Thai Textile Manufacturers' Association is a member, he would particularly like to call on them and their President.

5. SEAD have not been able to turn up the references in para 2 of Bangkok's telegram but I attach all the latest guidance we have on Mr Normanton and his interests. I leave it to you to pass as much of this as you think fit to the post.

IN CONFIDENCE

/HONG KONG

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