TNAG-1888-FCO40-2681-Visits-from-Hong-Kong-and-China-to-the-UK-1989 — Page 78

CONFIDENTIAL

4. Dame Lydia, together with Mr Allen Lee, the Senior Member of

the Legislative Council, met the Prime Minister on 23 June. At

that time the discussion focussed almost entirely on the right of

abode issue.

5.

Although the Governor regards the timing in early October as

right for a further discussion of the nationality issue, from our point of view the timing is far from ideal as there will be nothing

new to say. On the other hand, provided Dame Lydia does not

overplay her hand, she could exert a helpful influence on the Prime

Minister in advance of the OD (K) meeting on 26 October. The Prime Minister could reinforce the assurances we have already given to Dame Lydia and others that we remain committed to producing an effective nationality package.

6.

Despite the timing difficulties, therefore, there would be

advantage in the Prime Minister seeing Dame Lydia again.

In Hong

Kong terms, it would go down well and would help to bolster Dame

Lydia's personal position something which it is in our interests

-

to achieve. It is similarly desirable that Dame Lydia should establish a good raport with the Prime Minister as well as with FCO Ministers.

7. It would be very desirable for the call to range more widely than the nationality issue. Dame Lydia would no doubt have much to

say on the question of Vietnamese boat people: it would enable the Prime Minister to listen to an authoritative Hong Kong view on that subject (which is to be considered by OD (K) on 4 October).

8.

Less than three months have elapsed since Dame Lydia's last

call on the Prime Minister. It should be explained to her that she

could not always expect to be able to see the Prime Minister so

frequently.

9.

The Governor's telno 2964 usefully flags up the importance of

getting the press handling right. We will need to liaise closely

with No 10 over this.

ARPanc

A R Paul

CONFIDENTIAL