TNAG-1468-FCO40-1997-Visits-by-members-of-the-Office-of-the-Unofficial-Members-of-1986 — Page 190

Dear Charts,

CONFIDENTIAL

7

HKD

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

14 May 1986

RS41

Сил-

Hong Kong: Proposed Visit by Unofficial Members of the

Executive Council

The Governor of Hong Kong has recommended to us that when he is in London in September he might bring the Unofficial members of the Executive Council to call on the Prime Minister and the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary.

Sir Geoffrey Howe supports this recommendation and very much hopes that the Prime Minister would be able to receive the Unofficials. By September it will be two years since the Unofficials last visited London for discussions with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary just before Cabinet took the decision to authorise the initialling of the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong. In the communique issued after that meeting at No 10 it was stated that "it was agreed that the same close consultation will continue in the future". A further invitation to the Unofficials would underline the Government's continuing close commitment to Hong Kong, its people and its future.

The timing proposed by the Governor would seem to be right. So far as we can tell at present, in September there should be no major issue which might be a cause of contention between HMG and Hong Kong, or which might cause the visit to give rise to undue speculation. On his present plans the Governor has to be in London on 11 September. Sir Geoffrey Howe would be able to receive the Unofficials on 10 September; he hopes that it might be possible for the Prime Minister to receive them later on the same day.

HRR 026/5

RECEIVED #GISTRY

2 8 MAY 1986

NDEX

PA

Абаты

CD Powell Esq 10 Downing Street

CONFIDENTIAL

Дото

ein

Aden (mohar Обос

(R N Culshaw) Private Secretary