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Delegation Briefs
4. A list of briefs, with Departmental allocations, is at Annex C, covering those agenda items on which an FCO input is appropriate, and a range of topics of general Commonwealth interest on which Delegates might be tackled. Departments are free to suggest additional topics. SPD have prepared separate briefing on bilateral issues, and the CPA UK Branch Secretariat will arrange briefing on purely Parliamentary issues.
5.
Briefs should be factual (ie. with no "line to take") should bear no classification, and should be concise. Anything over two sides of A4 will require justification. While allowing for the non-Government nature of the Delegation, the briefs should cover the British Government's position on the issues.
Classified Briefs
6. Parallel briefing, in normal FCO Ministerial format, will be required for Mrs Chalker's use. This should include, in tiret/clutch card form, an appropriate line to take, and any
additional or classified Background information. Copies of relevant Ministerial speeches/statements would also be useful.
Speeches
1.
Delegation members are responsible for the content of their own interventions. But it is almost certain that Mrs Chalker will feel obliged to present the Government's position in the opening Plenary, on Southern Africa, in response to an opening statement by Mr Ramphal, and delegates' interventions. CCD will be in touch directly with SAfD over this. The FCO Delegation Briefs will form only part of the briefing available to UK speakers on particular items/panel topics, with the CPA UK Branch Secretariat collecting further material ad hoc from the Libraries of the Houses of Parliament, public sources and other Ministries and organisations.
Deadlines
8.
The Parliamentary Calendar and Mrs Chalker's travel plans mean that briefing for the Delegation needs to be ready well in advance of departure: it may need to be sent to Delegates at their constituency/holiday addresses. Could the Delegation briefs therefore please be sent in final form (25 copies) to me, no later than close on 1 August. The classified briefs (6 copies) should be sent no later than close on on 5 August. There will be an opportunity for updating in early September.
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