BRIEFING OF BACKBENCHERS
SECRET
2. It was noted that about 20 Conservative MPs had expressed an interest in receiving briefing on Hong Kong. The Opposition parties should be informed on a similar basis that this facility was available. (ACTION: Hong Kong Department would submit a proposed wording to be passed to Opposition Whips.) Mr Luce would approach Opposition whips before Christmas and suggest that the notice should be circulated after the Christmas recess. It would probably be best for members of each party to be briefed separately. The briefing would take the form of a background teach-in, giving some of the history of the Hong Kong problem. Mr Luce would set the scene before handing over to FCO officials. It should be our aim to complete the exercise by mid-February.
3.
Hong Kong Department
9 December 1983
DISTRIBUTION:
All participants
rivate Secretary
THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED UNDER
FOI EXEMPTION NO... 27 (1)