TNAG-1891-FCO40-2684-Visits-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe-and-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretaries-1989 — Page 22

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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.

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

handling. Mr Burns will be sumbitting separately on this.

8.

FR Pane

A R Paul

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