85-03-08 16:24 BOKAA QYMWT* 28404 HKGOVT G KEY+80273427+HX04 73427 KADOO HX
28404 HKGOVT G
TELEX 0025 85-03-08 16:25
24
(23A,
UNCLASSIFIED
HKGO/1549/LM252
8TH MARCH 1985.
I HAVE SPOKEN WITH LORD MACLEHOSE AND LORD RHODES AND INFORMED BARONESS YOUNG'S OFFICE OF YOUR VISIT.
2.
I HAVE ALSO BEEN GIVEN CONFIRMATION THAT SINCE YOU HAVE TAKEN THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE DURING THIS PARLIAMENT, IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR YOU TO TAKE IT AGAIN.
3.
LORD RHODES LOOKS FORWARD TO SEEING YOU BUT UNFORTUNATELY, LORD MACLEHOSE HAS SUFFERED A SLIPPED DISK IN THE NECK AND IS IMMOBILISED FOR UP TO THREE WEEKS. HE HAS BEEN ADVISED TO CANCEL ALL ENGAGEMENTS AND WILL BE RESTING IN SCOTLAND. IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, HE WILL NOT BE ATTENDING THE DEBATE ON THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE HONG KONG BILL NEXT WEEK BUT STILL HOPES TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE THIRD READING.
4.
AN AMENDMENT HAS BEEN PUT DOWN BY LORD GRIDLEY FOR THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE BILL AND THERE WILL BE A DEBATE. UNDERSTAND THAT A CONTRIBUTION FROM YOU AT THE THIRD READING WILL BE VERY WELCOME IF AN AMENDMENT HAS BEEN TABLED. IT IS TOO EARLY YET FOR SUCH AN AMENDMENT AND I WILL GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU AFTER THE DEBATE ON 14TH MARCH TO CONSIDER WHETHER YOU WOULD LIKE TO PUT FORWARD AND AMENDMENT IF OTHERS HAVE NOT BEEN TABLED.
5.
WITH BEST WISHES.
WEBB-JOHNSON
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73427 KADOO HX 28404 HKGOVT G
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