TNAG-1176-FCO40-1478-Air-services-between-the-UK--China-and-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 76

A

CONFIDENTIAL

PS/Lord Belstead

Hier 184/1

HONG KONG/CHINA AIR SERVICES

PROBLEM

1.

鴨川を

Paul &

(nie)

Minister

Frafragreed

To reply to a letter of 29 July to Lord Belstead from

Mr Iain Sproat MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Trade, following Mr Sproat's return from a visit to Hong Kong.

奶

b

34

8/8

RECOMMENDATION

I recommend that Lord Belstead reply on the lines of the

attached draft letter. FED and MAED concur.

2.

30

(30A

attached

to (31

E

31

BACKGROUND AND ARGUMENT

3.

Lord Belstead met Mr Sproat on 12 July before Mr Sproat

left for Hong Kong. A record of the meeting was sent to Hong Kong in FCO telegram number 540.

4.

Since Mr Sproat's return, Lord Belstead has discussed the subject with Sir Edward Youde on 28 July. Sir Edward briefed

Lord Belstead on his meeting with Mr Sproat.

5. Peking recently reported that the Chinese had offered to reopen negotiations on the outstanding issues at the end of August or in early September. With FCO concurrence, DOT have replied to say that these dates would not be convenient and suggesting as an alternative the week beginning 25 October, ie after the Prime Minister's visit and immediately before the current summer air schedules end.

6 August 1982

се

Mr Donald

FED MAED

Kruchu

H. McQuade

Hong Kong & General Department

CONFIDENTIAL