TNAG-1248-FCO40-1562-Press-reports-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 166

GR 200

RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED

FM HONG KONG 2805097 JUN 83

TO ROUTINE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON

TELEGRAM NUMBER 979 OF 28 JUNE

AND TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES IN BRUSSELS,

GENEVA, WASHINGTON AND CG NEW YORK

INFO F C O

K

HKG/GT/28

FUTURE OF HONG KONG : VISIT TO LONDON BY EXCO MEMBERS

AS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROCESS OF CONSULTATIONS ON THE FUTURE, THE GOVERNOR, ACCOMPANIED BY ALL NINE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS

OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL VISIT LONDON DURING THE WEEK BEGINNING 4 JULY. WHILE IN LONDON THEY EXPECT TO CALL ON THE PRIME MINISTER,

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG, MR. RICHARD LUCE. THE GROUP WILL ALSO

HAVE MEETINGS WITH THE ANGLO-HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP.

BACKGROUND

2. THIS FOLLOWS EARLIER VISITS TO LONDON BY THE GOVERNOR IN

JANUARY AND MARCH THIS YEAR AND SUBSEQUENT CALLS ON THE PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTERS BY THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, SIR S.Y. CHUNG AND ON MINISTERS BY MISS LYDIA DUNN. APART FROM ENABLING UNOFFICIALS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS WITH REGARD TO THE FUTURE, IT WILL OFFER THEM A FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE NEW SECRETARY OF STATE, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE AND THE NEW MINISTER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, MR. RICHARD LUCE.

LINE TO TAKE

3. IN DISCUSSION OF THIS SUBJECT, YOU MAY DRAW FREELY ON THE BACKGROUND MATERIAL ABOVE. YOU SHOULD STRESS THAT THE VISIT DEMONSTRATES THE CONTINUING PRIORITY. AFFORDED BY THE PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTERS TO ASCERTAINING THE VIEWS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE ON THE FUTURE.

YOUDE

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

LIMITED HD/HKD HD/FED

HD/PLANNING STAFF

HD/PUSD

PS

PS/LADY YOUNG

PS/MR LUCE

PS/PUS

SIR J BULLARD

MR GIFFARD

MR DONALD

MR WRIGHT

MR BURROWS

MR MARTIN

MR FLOWER

MR COLES

COPIES TO:

SIR I SINCLAIR LEGAL ADVISER

LEGAL ADVISERS ASSESSMENTS STAFF CABINET OFFICE

PUSD

NO 10 DOWNING ST

SIR A PARSONS

11

MR WALKER, RESEARCH DEPT

HKGO LONDON

RESTRICTED