GPS 190A
FRIORITY
CYPHER/CAT A
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED
REGISTR No.52!
17 APR 1975
FM FCO 151640Z
31.
(HK)
CONFIDENTIAL
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG TELNO. 284 OF 15 APRIL 1975
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM O'KEEFFE.
R
i
Ref.
1. THE DEFENCE AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE EXPENDITURE
COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS WOULD LIKE TO VISIT HONG KONG
FOR UP TO FOUR DAYS STARTING ON MONDAY 17 NOVEMBER. WE DO NOT
AT PRESENT HAVE ANY VERY CLEAR IDEAS ON WHAT THEY WILL WISH TO
EXAMINE BUT WE UNDERSTAND THAT IN THE NORMAL COURSE THEY ARE
USUALLY CONTENT TO SEE THE SERVICES AT FIRST-HAND AND TO TAKE AN
INTEREST IN PURELY LOCAL PROBLEMS. THEY MAY, OF COURSE, TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENQUIRE INTO BASIC QUESTIONS OF POLICY: THIS WOULD
BE MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN IN CONNECTION WITH ISSUES WHICH HAVE COME
TO PUBLIC NOTICE DURING THE YEAR. IF THEY WISH, THEIR PROCEDURES
ALLOW THEM TO TAKE FORMAL EVIDENCE FROM WITNESSES.
2. WE HAVE DISCUSSED WITH THE MOD WHO TELL US THAT THEIR MINISTERS.
NATURALLY WISH TO MEET THE SUB-COMMITTEE'S WISHES TO THE MAXIMUM
EXTENT, ALTHOUGH WE ARE NOT OBLIGED TO ACCEPT THEIR PROPOSALS
IF THERE ARE STRONG REASONS FOR NOT DOING SO.
3. MOD HAVE SIGNALLED CBF ABOUT THIS AND SUGGESTED THAT HE MIGHT
LIKE TO CONSULT YOU ABOUT. IT.
CALLAGHAN
FILES:
HKIOD (4)
DEF D
SIR D. WATSON MR. MALE
CONFIDENTIAL