TNAG-1168-FCO40-1448-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 8

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"in London at that time?

3.

We should naturally prefer to avoid a separate

return journey at public expense, but if there is

gonuinely no possibility of advancing your

then this might be possible.

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NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

T

Mr Dopáld

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X

139

MICK

04011

1p6030/3

FUTURE OF HONG KONG : POSSIBLE VISIT TO CHINA BY SIR E YOUDE

1.

I attach a draft letter to Hong Kong and Peking on this subject. Sir E Youde and FED agree.

2.

The draft mentions the meeting called by the Prime Minister with Sir M MacLehose and Sir E Youde. Sir M MacLehose knows about this, but Sir P Cradock does not yet.

Earlier you

had felt that if such a meeting were called, it might be right for Sir Percy to attend and I understand that you told Mr Davies this morning that you were still of this view. It would of course be very helpful if this could be arranged. However, Sir Percy is not due to come on leave until June. It would be very expensive for him to fly back specially. If you think that we should pursue this we should need to put the idea to No 10 and consult Sir P Cradock as to whether he might be able to bring his leave forward. FED are submitting separately on this.

RD Clift

23 March 1982

сс FED

Sir E Youde

Hong Kong and General Department

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