Mr Stanley
PS/Mr Luard
whyitten
Mu. Taipo Dom. 19/2
3
IIRD
(niz
In the evint
IL-Tuluzi
Their 291-7
CONSOLIDATED FUND BILL PROCEEDINGS: HMG'S POLICY TOWARDS THE REMAINING DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
1. Sir Bernard Braine (Conservative Essex, South East) has put down a motion on "HMG's policy towards the remaining Dependent Territories" for debate on 28 July. I understand that Sir Bernard's motion is no. 31 in the order and, if taken, is unlikely to be
reached until the early hours of Friday morning.
2. Sir Bernard Braine is known to be particularly interested in
the Banabans. He visited Ocean Island at their invitation in
1975 and submitted a report to the FCO which was critical of our
handling of the case. He is also critical of the level and alleged lack of urgency in our aid effort in the Pacific (see the relevant extract from Hansard of the meeting of the sixth Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments on 14 February).
3. I submit a draft statement and notes for supplementaries
for Mr Luard's use. The Dependent Territories' departments
concerned concur. I understand that Mr Luard will not wish
anyone present in the box.
27 July 1977
Cc:
PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts Mr Cortazzi o.r.
Mr Duff (WIAD)
Mr Pettitt (PDTD
Mr Obhorne SAMD) Mr Brown (SED)
Mr M B Collins (MCD) Mr Posnett PS/Mr Rowlands Parliamentary Unit
f.
el. B. Steent
JAB Stewart
Hong Kong & General Dept
16. Standing 27/7
LAST PARRA