3
CONFIDENTIAL
FROM: A C GALSWORTHY, HKD
DATE: 8 November
1984
137
Sir P Cradock
mumili
Private Secretary
HKK
040/31
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
1 E NOV 1984
DESK OFFICER INDEX
PA
cc: PS/Lady Young
PS/Mr Luce
PS/Mr Renton
PS/PUS
Sir J Freeland
Dr Wilson
Mr Burrows, Legal Advisers
Mr Houston
Mr Meyer, News Department Parliamentary Unit
Mrs Fewster, Nationality & Treaty Department
HONG KONG AGREEMENT: PARLIAMENTARY HANDLING
1. I have had a preliminary discussion with the Private Secretary to the Chief Whip (Mr McLean) about the parliamentary debate and the correct form for the motion. Mr Luce has also told me that he has discussed the matter with the Whips. I understand that the Whips have 5 or 6 December down provisionally as possible dates for the debate in the House of Commons. They have noted Mr Healey's request for a two-day debate. I gather that their initial inclination is to see whether the opposition's requirements could be met by having a single day's debate running on fairly late at night. But I understand that they are likely to take the view that it would not be sensible to have a row on the handling of the debate, and that if Mr Healey is adamant that a two-day debate is necessary then there should be one. In this case the debate would have to be 5 and 6
December.
2. One consideration on the timing of the Commons debate is that there should be sufficient time between the publication of the Assessment Office report and the debate. At present publication of the report is envisaged on the morning of Friday 30 November. We are looking into the possibility, at Mr Luce's request, of getting
CONFIDENTIAL