TNAG-1890-FCO40-2683-Visits-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe-and-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretaries-1989 — Page 143

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5. There will clearly need to be a speech.

The Governor

recommends that the platform should be a community lunch, similar to

the one hosted by the Chief Secretary on the last visit. This would

be consistent with the theme of getting alongside the Hong Kong

people. But it would not be a comfortable occasion, given the

unlikelihood that the Secretary of State will have anything

comforting to say on the question of nationality.

6.

The Senior British Trade Commissioner has emphasised the value

of some commercial content to the visit. He suggests that the possibility of a speech in a business setting (eg the British

Chamber of Commerce) be considered. I think we need to ensure that

Mr Heap's interests are fully catered for in the programme. But I think that the platform for the speech should be a Hong Kong setting

rather than a British commercial one.

7. It would be helpful to have the Secretary of State's thoughts on the draft outline programme. In the meantime, I am thinking about the contents of a speech, and aim to submit some preliminary ideas

as soon as possible next week.

8. This will be a major media event. It will need very careful

handling. Mr Burns will be sumbitting separately on this.

AR Pan

A R Paul

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