TNAG-2505-FCO40-3646-Official-visits-from-the-UK-and-China-to-countries-other-tha-1992 — Page 21

RESTRICTED

4.

It is not a foreign policy matter whether this visit is carried out by Sir Wyn Roberts or by John Redwood. I hope therefore, that you and Peter Lilley can sort this out between you. My concern is simply to reiterate the political sensitivities and to repeat that I can only agree to a one-off visit for the time being. May I also urge continued discretion about this matter at this stage. It would not help if the Chinese came to hear of our change of policy before we had had time, first, to plan a visit properly and, second, to consider how to put the decision to them.

5. I am copying this letter to the Trade and Industry Secretary, the Scottish Secretary and the Northern Ireland Secretary.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

14 January 1992

RESTRICTED

DH.

(DOUGLAS HURD)