DAYADW
TO: PS/Mr Maude
HKB
CONFIDENTIAL
110
FROM:
Mr Paul
DATE:
CC
13
Hong Kong Department
2 October 1989
Private Secretary
PS/PUS
Mr Gillmore
Mr Mclaren
Mr Fraser
On 26/10
Mr Holt, PRU
FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT ON HONG KONG
Problem
1. We need to explain to the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee that we are not yet in a position to reply to the
Committee's report on Hong Kong.
Recommendation
f.
R.B
(460)
A
B
G
X
2.
I recommend that the Secretary of State seek an opportunity during the Conservative Party Conference to explain the current state of play to the Chairman of the Committee and to obtain confirmation that the Committee is content to await a reply. I
submit points to make. PRU agree.
Background
..
Rin
The Foriegn Affairs Committee published their report on Hong Kong
on 30 June.
My submission of 15 August gave arguments as to why we were not ready to reply to the Committee's report on Hong Kong and recommended that the Head of PR write to the clerk of the Committee explaining this. Mr Lyall Grant's minute to me of 17 October
recorded Mr Maude's view that, should we need to delay a reply to
W
* the FAC beyond the beginning of October, we should need to square Mr David Howell MP. Mr Holt, PRU, subsequently wrote to the Clerk of
the Committee.
4. I argued in my submission of 15 August, and I remain of the view,
ould that we shall refrain from a formal reply to the FAC report until we
eci * have substantive discussions on the nationality package and on
CONFIDENTIAL