TNAG-1301-FCO40-1657-Visits-by-Richard-Luce--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1984 — Page 160

CONFIDENTIAL

HKK 027/12

RECEIVED JA REGISTRY

1 8 MAY 1984

DEJK OFFICE"

INDEX

RECSTAY

レ

HKD

In pa

231

Just 187

Secrely of State

FROM: H B WARREN-GASH

DATE:

cc:

6 February 1984

PS/Mr Rifkind

Sir P Cradock

Sir W Harding

Mr Donald

Mr Hartland-Swann, SEAD

Mr Clift, HKD

Private Secretary

Ps/vw Lice

Secretary

Agreed

Rebelts

Niecelts

7/2

PROPOSED VISIT BY MR LUCE TO BRUNEI, HONG KONG AND MALAYSIA

1.

The Secretary of State and Mr Luce have discussed Mr Luce's wish to visit Hong Kong and Malaysia in addition to Brunei at the end of this month (the authority for which was sought in my minute to you of 30 January). I understand that the Secretary of State was concerned about two aspects. First, there would be one day (27 February) when the Secretary of State, Mr Luce and Mr Rifkind would all be out of the country. Second, was it necessary for Mr Luce to go to Hong Kong at all within two months of his own visit?

2. On timing of Ministerial absences, Mr Luce has been over the ground again very thoroughly. I attach below the complete list of projected Ministerial movements over the period in question. You will see from this that Mr Rifkind has, very kindly, agreed to postpone his own departure for West Africa until the evening of 28 February, in order to be in London when the Secretary of State and Mr Luce will both be away on the previous day.

3.

n

Mr Luce discussed the value of the visit once again at an office meeting this afternoon at which Sir P Cradock, Mr Donald and Mr Clift were present. While dealing with the press will clearly not be easy (and Mr Luce would obviously have to give a press conference in Hong Kong if he went there), all present felt that the balance of advantage lay in the visit going ahead, for the reasons set out in my earlier minute, and because EXCO、who are aware that the visit is in prospect, may not accept at face value the reasons given for a change of plan.

4. In the light of these considerations, Mr Luce would be grateful for the Secretary of State's agreement that he should go through with his visit in the form originally envisaged.

Warren Gesh म.

H B Warren-Gash

PS/Mr Luce

CONFIDENTIAL