SECRET
(3) Euler
HKK0401
CEIVED IN ALUISARY
R 1984
Secretary of State
ཉྙཱཙཏི ཨ ཨིརིཀྑཏྟཾ སུལཱ ཏིརིཀཱཔཱི ཀཱ ཨ,
FROM:
Richard Luce
DATE: 10 April 1984
(Action Tokopt:
LIMBIK
Lady Young
PUS
Sir P Cradock
Dr Wilson
Mr Clift, HKD Parliamentary Unit
see (305)
290
FUTURE OF HONG KONG :
PARLIAMENTARY HANDLING
1. We had a good discussion about Hong Kong at this morning's Ministers' meeting. Parliamentary interest in Hong Kong is on the increase, and the aftermath of your visit is clearly going to require very careful handling.
2. We have already taken some steps to set the scene. I have talked to Denis Healey (who has in turn briefed Neil Kinnock and George Robertson) and was due to do so this afternoon to Shirley Williams (but she did not turn up!). I understand plans are well in hand for you to brief David Owen and David Steel: and, of course, there is your drinks for the members of the FAC on 12 April.
3. There is only so much more that we can do before we go into recess. I will take steps to make sure that PPSs are in the picture (Alastair Goodlad was at this morning's Ministers' meeting and is therefore up to date). But we can expect MPs to show a higher level of interest as soon as Parliament resumes.
4. There are a number of angles we need to consider. The first Parliamentary hurdle we have to cross is oral questions on the 25th. There are several questions down on Hong Kong, including one from Colin Moynihan that is certain to be reached. It is unfortunate that, in the absence of Business Questions this week, we cannot get it clearly established before then that there will be a debate. But I will do what I can to keep the atmosphere calm and to agree a form of words with the Leader of the House about a debate.
5. We may, at the same time, face pressure when Parliament resumes for a statement (eg through a PNQ) either immediately or following your own return. The objective will be to resist, but this is going to depend largely on how your tour goes and what reaction it gets. The Opposition are prepared to cooperate provided that no unnecessary furore occurs.
SECRET
16.