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Covering CONFIDENTIAL
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You will note that the AC is the subject of special arrangements whereby 11 may receive clausified information up to and including SLCKET. The Sub Committee's reports to the Mouse are published but there are arrangements for screening out of them any claunifiei material: this is known as "sidelinine” and is arranged by the inistry of Defence, in consultation with those who provide the evidenco either in written memoranda or in oral session.
6. The Sub Committee last travelled abroad in April 1975 on a 5-day tour of British Forces Germany during which they receivoù extensive briefing, visited Cormand, Corps and Briade cadquarters ?) 542 pations, as well an seeing units in training and on exercisco. The visit finished with a oral evidence session which was designed primarily to formalise the sperto questions which had heer asked by the Sub Committee in talking informably to people during the visit. You will be interested in cecing a copy of the Sab Committee's report on the visit and we will arrange for a copy to be sent out to Hong Kong as soon as it is published probably at the end of July.
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7. In the meantime you may like to see the way in which the Sub Committee dealt with the first stage of its study ch the Defence Feview. I therefore ́enclose a copy of the Ixpenditure Committee's Second Report.
8. The general practice of the re in taking evidence 15 first to consider witten memoranda, then to take oral evidence on questions arising (which may lead to requesto for further notes) and then to publish a report raking recommendations oa action to be taken by KCW and Service authorities. The report is supported by a "sidelined" version of all the evidence submitted. In overseas tours, the Sub Committee may dispense cither altogether or in part with requests for written evidence in the first place, but may opt for a thorough preliminary briefing on. arrival at the Headquarters concerned. Such a briefing may be up to SLCHF in content: there, would be no record of any questions and answers on the briefing but the Sub Committee woulú de expected to ask if the texts of the preliminary briefing could be made available to the House for inclusion in the DIASC's - subsequent report, suitably sidelined...
9. Ca overseas visits, the Sub Committee likes to see as much as possible on the round, to see units on exercises and in training and to be able to talk with Servicemen of all ranks both on duty and-socially.
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If the Sub Committee arrives as planned on the afternoon of Tuesday 18 November, it right be preferable to give a fairly light programme for it on hednesday 19 November. Thereafter, the programme might best be left to the experts in Hong long, who by now must know what visitors would like to see, in the light of tile subjects listed in the telegrams from MOD and F00. It has been suggested that a trip across to lacac might be both interesting and relaxing; also that some free time for shopping would be welcome.
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11. if formal oral evidence is taken it should ideally be the last act of the visi (apart from any fin-1 gesture of hospitality). About 2 hours should be qellowd at the present stage of planning to cover either an evidɩnoc sozoicu or
final informal discussions wath CBF and the Governor.
12. The size of the party is not film: the maximum number would be 14, ie S. Weerbers, 4 Sub Committee staff and the MOD Liaison Officer. A more likely figure
is 7 Rembers, 3 staff and the liaison Officer - 11.
11. It is important that all those in the party receive equal trcatment in the matter of accommodation, transport
Covering CONFI X MURAL