FROM:
DATE:
AGR BUTLER
215
2 MARCH 1984
Private Secretary
FAC: EVIDENCE BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Now see
munte 28/3.
1. The Committee have decided that when the Secretary of State gives evidence to them on 14 March (now at 4.45pm) they will concentrate their attention on
a)
East-West relations; and
b)
the situation in the Middle East.
In addition they will probably wish to raise
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c) the Sino-British talks on Hong Kong; and
d)
the forthcoming European Council, 19-20 March.
ZA
JB 21/3
see
2.
The East-West item is designed (as is Mr Walker's Motion on 9 March) to be helpful and to enable the Secretary of State to be forthcoming on future initiatives. On Hong Kong they will expect a statement on the current state of progress in the talks On the EC Heads of Government meeting the Secretary of State could take the opportunity to address himself to the UK domestic audience.
3.
I shall have further guidance from the Clerk on likely
lines of questioning (rather than actual questions) on Thursday
8 March after the Committee have considered their own draft brief.
(216)
I will then commission briefs as necessary. In the meantime, departments concerned can consider what will be required.
Cc:
PS/PUS
Sir J Bullard
Mr John Houston Planning Staff Soviet Department EED
Defence Department.
ACDD
NENAD
MED
HKD L
ECD (I)
News Dept
AGR Butler
Parliamentary Unit
Mr. Hym
Mr. Powell
(Latius de satte hud).
съз
We shall need to prepare an
otatiment & supplementores. opening statement o
о
Questions will be pretty penetrating. Pl. opeah
1/3