TNAG-1317-FCO40-1720-Future-of-Hong-Kong-meetings-of-the-Cabinet-Defence-and-Over-1984 — Page 18

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Mr Galsworthy (HKD)

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APOLVED

10 SEP 1904

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Ministerial Absences in August

The Secretary of State has discussed ministerial travel plans in August with the PUS.

The Secretary of State and the PUS agreed that the present travel plans seem to be satisfactory in terms of critical points in the Hong Kong negotiations. The first critical point is likely to be 20-30 August. During that period, officials will be here from 20-24 August and can prepare submissions on any items which require early decision. The Secretary of State will be at Chevening or 1 Carlton Gardens from 24 August and the Prime Minister will be back in the country on 27 August. Hence, critical decisions could be submitted to the Secretary of State on 24 August and if necessary to the Prime Minister on 27 August.

For the second critical period (10-20 September), the Secretary of State will be available either in London or will himself be in Hong Kong or Peking. He may have to spend a day or so at meetings in Brussels or Dublin during that time but will be in contact through the Embassies concerned.

I am asking Mrs Walters to prepare proposals on secure communications for the Secretary of State while he is in France from 5-24 August. We will submit further on this.

20 July 1984

cc:

PS/PUS

Sir P Cradock Sir W Harding Mr Orr (FED)

LV Areeyad

(L V Appleyard)

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