TNAG-1159-FCO40-1439-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--1982 — Page 32

RESTRICTED

GRS 140

RESTRICTED

FM HONG KONG 0409562 AUG 82

TO PRIORITY FCO

TELEGRAM NUMBER 8470F 4 AUGUST

127

HKCk2 02615

Par 719

YOURTELNO 594: PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT.

50

THE LUNCHEON WITH HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN (MYTELNO 663 PARA 3) WILL

TAKE PLACE AT THE MANDARIN WHERE SPACE IS LIMITED. AS PRIME MINISTER'S MAIN PRESS CONFERENCE TAKES PLACE TWO HOURS LATER, WE SUGGEST THAT NO MEDIA SHOULD BE INVITED BUT THAT TEXT OF HER SPEECH SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY. THE ALTERNATIVE OF ALLOWING ELECTRONIC MEDIA ONLY WOULD LEAD TO DIFFICULTIES WITH

NEWSPAPERS WHEREAS A SELECTED TABLE FOR REPORTERS WOULD CAUSE EVEN MORE DIFFICULTY ESPECIALLY WITH JOURNALISTS ACCOMPANYING PRIME MINISTER. PLEASE CONFIRM THAT THIS IS ACCEPTABLE.

2. WE ASSUME MR THATCHER WILL ATTEND THIS LUNCH (AND THE OTHER LUNCHES AND DINNERS). GRATEFUL TO KNOW WHICH MEMBERS IF ANY OF PRIME MINISTER'S STAFF WILL ACCOMPANY TO THIS LUNCHEON AND ALSO TO CASTLE PEAK. NEED ANY ACCOMPANY TO DINNER WITH UMEL CO?

YOUDE

LIMITED

HK&GD

FED

NEWS D

PS

PS/LORD BELSTEAD

PS/PUS

MR DONALD

THIS TELEGRAM

WAS NOT ADVANCED

RESTRICTED

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