RESTRICTED
of personal contact between Members, often in the margins of the IPU Conferences. I have discussed this very informally
He is similarly with the IPU Secretary, Captain Peter Shaw. concerned and is now preparing a paper for consideration by the new Executive Committee after their election at the IPU AGM on 19 June. If the Committee agree to adopt a more satisfactory system for planning future visits they will also turn to the FCO for informal advice. They are, however, sensitive about their independence from HMG.
4. We shall be considering with Protocol Department how best to co-ordinate FCO advice. This should not be a major exercise; it might, for example, be possible to review opportunities and priorities in the context of the six-monthly meetings of the Ministerial Visits Committee. In the meantime I should be grateful if you would let me have by close of play on 20 June specific suggestions about possible visits by the Speaker to your area for use as a basis for discussion with Mr Beaumont. If you could also include your views on IPU visits so much the better. suggesting that visits by either the Speaker or the IPU should be regarded as substitutes for Ministerial visits; but at no cost to the FCO, they can wave the flag effectively and demonstrate
And I know a British interest in a particular country or region. that some posts are keen to stimulate parliamentary exchanges.
I am not
5. Mr Beaumont mentioned that the Speaker would be interested in visiting Nepal after the Commonwealth Speaker's Conference in New Delhi next January. I have heard subsequently about the Royal Visit in February, which will presumably rule this out; but I should nevertheless be grateful for SAD's comments. The Speaker served in the Indian Army and would probably be interested in spending more time in India.
14 June 1985
facon
P J Bacon Parliamenta
1ons Unit
RESTRICTED