IN CONFIDENCE
The FCO should get out a fact sheet for the All Party
Gibraltar Group: and perhaps the Group might be invited to
meet Mrs Chalker.
4. Mr Durant pointed out that Barlow-Clowes Gibraltar was
not an off-shore company.
It was a Gibraltar one and many
Gibraltarian investors were affected. The difficulty of doing anything where our dependencies were concerned were
pointed out.
5.
Mr Mitchell said there was still a buzz of interest on
European Community issues. Iraqi Kurds were still engaging Members' minds. Mr Eggar thought that on the latter there must be a link with the Labour Party who seemed intent on working up the issue. Mr Tony Newton's forthcoming visit to Iraq was going to be the subject of Opposition attention.
6. Mr Harris thought the Defence Select Committee would
need to be treated carefully in Hong Kong after the recent
evidence session difficulties with MOD officials.
7. Mr Durant said it was possible the House would prorogue
on 16 November. However we should press on with preparation
for Tops on that day as if it was going to happen. Mr Eggar said that if there was a Secretary of State's PQ meeting at 9.30 on 14 November, we would have a PLG immediately
afterwards. (A note to this effect is going out to all
concerned).
CC:
PS/Mr Eggar
Mr Teasdale
Mr Fergusson
Miss Pestell
Mr Machin, ODA
D Holt
Parliamentary Relations Unit
IN CONFIDENCE
bcc:
Mr Colvin,
SEAD
Mr Cullimore, SAFD Mr Weston, SED
(for action on paras 2 & 3)
HKD (per Hum)