TNAG-1159-FCO40-1439-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Hong-Kong--1982 — Page 50

From the Private Secretary

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ET MON

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10 DOWNING STREET

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PS

Mr Donald нкад PCD

28 July 1982

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17

Lear

Francis,

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167

Prime Minister's visit to the Far East: composition of party

As you know, the Prime Minister will be accompanied by Mr. Thatcher throughout her visit. Mrs. Thatcher would be grateful if Mr. Alan Donald would also join the party. It was agreed at a meeting here earlier today that Sir Edward Youde would appoint someone from Hong Kong to join the party in China. I should be grateful to know in due course who this will be.

The Prime Minister has considered whether to ask a Minister from the Department of Trade to join the party but has decided that the commercial content of the visit as at present envisaged would not justify this. I should be grateful, however, if you could keep this point in mind and let me know if there are any new developments which might justify a Trade Minister going.

From No. 10, Mr. Butler, I, Mr. Ingham and Mr. Kydd will accompany the Prime Minister. The supporting staff have not yet been determined but we will let you know these shortly.

I should be grateful if you could let me have, when I return from leave on 6 September, some indication of which members of the party will participate in each event. We shall clearly have to fit in with the requirements of the host governments to a large extent. In general, Mr. Thatcher will attend the protocol.. and social occasions and will accompany the Prime Minister on her visits outside capitals. But he will be happy to pursue separate programmes where our posts so advise. The Prime Minister will wish to be accompanied by a Private Secretary (either Mr. Butler or myself, to be determined nearer the time) at each session of talks. We can decide further participation at the talks, in the light of the wishes of the host governments.

As regards the press, Mr. Kydd will usually be with the press party wherever they are. Mr. Ingham will be with the Prime Minister, subject to decisions later about actual participation in the talks.

Francis Richards, Esq.,

Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Your ever

John Cola