TNAG-2617-FCO40-3808-Visit-by-Lord-Caithness--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and-C-1992 — Page 26

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LORD CAITHNESS' VISIT TO HONG KONG: SHA COMMUNITY LUNCH

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1 WE HAVE GIVEN FURTHER THOUGHT TO THE FORMAT OF THE COMMUNITY LUNCH. IN JULY LAST YEAR WHEN LORD CAITHNESS ATTENDED THIS FUNCTION, THERE WAS A FORMAL QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION. WE FEEL THAT THIS DID NOT WORK TOO WELL - IT APPEARED SOMEWHAT CONTRIVED. THIS TIME AROUND WE PROPOSE, IF THE MINISTER AGREES, THAT HE SIT AT EACH OF THE THREE TABLES IN TURN (ACCOMPANIED BY SHA) SO AS TO

GIVE ALL THE GUESTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO HIM DIRECT.

2. SINCE LORD CAITHNESS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO SPEAK TO THE MEDIA, IF HE WISHES, AT THE END OF HIS ABERDEEN VISIT WHICH FOLLOWS THE LUNCH, WE SUGGEST THAT THE LUNCH BE TREATED AS A PRIVATE OCCASION WITH NO (NO) PRESS PRESENT.

3. GRATEFUL TO KNOW IF LORD CAITHNESS IS CONTENT WITH THIS.

WILSON

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