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Reference..
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HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY PRESENTATION
125 Your minute of 20 March refers.
2.
I presume you have seen DSP Vol 66 on the conclusion of "treaties" which covers most of what you are after. I attach a draft speaking note as requested based on this, but emphasising the political reality that HMG cannot 'sign' this agreement (Exchange of letters or whatever) until there has been full debate in the Commons.
3.
I have no knowledge of precedents other than that which Sir R Evans quoted on Accession to the European Communities.A I explained to Mrs Priest last week, this is not a matter of parliamentary procedure but political convention: so there is no central record here or in Parliament of such decisions to submit draft agreements to debate.
4. Erskine May, the Parliamentary Bible, mentions the 'Ponsonby Rule' but cannot be quoted directly: the form of words used ("the Government does not usually ratify etc".......
"..... "This practice is subject to modification if necessary when urgent or other considerations arise") could be turned against us.
23 March 1984
CODE 18-77
SECRET
A GR Butler Parliamentary Unit