TNAG-1158-FCO40-1438-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--1982 — Page 113

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PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO CHINA:

1.

Mr

Mr. Willy mom / /h

Clift, (HKGD)

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Mr Fenn (News Department)

Mr Macrae (CRD)

SCOTS GUARDS PIPES & DRUMS

Last month Lord Shepherd, Chairman of the

National Bus Company, mentioned to the Lord Privy Seal that his Hong Kong Chinese connections (probably Fung King

Hei) would like to sponsor and fund a visit to Peking by a British symphony orchestra who would perform on a suitable

day during the Prime Minister's visit. Before we could

establish whether a suitable orchestra might be available

and willing to undertake such a tour, HM Ambassador Peking

advised that the idea was a non-starter because of Chinese

budget cuts and the shortage of hotel accommodation. He

pointed out that the Ministry of Culture would not accept another British orchestra as our cultural quota had already been filled by the BBC Symphony Orchestra (in 1981) and the

Royal Ballet (due in 1983). But the Ambassador considered

that the auspices for a visit by a military band would be more favourable, although accommodation might still prove

an insuperable difficulty.

2.

We have discussed with the Ministry of Defence

the proposal for a military band visit. The practical difficulties of sending a band from the UK at short notice seem overwhelming, and it would seem strange to send a band from Britain for the short period likely to be feasible for

the Chinese hosts. We have therefore considered whether

the Pipes and Drums of the Scots Guards (20-25 men) who are already based in Hong Kong could make a short visit to Peking.

3.

We think that the logistic arrangements of such a visit might not be unmanageable and that it could provide worthwhile extra publicity for the first visit to China of

/a British

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