From:
SF Bailey (Miss)
Parliamentary Relations Unit
13 November 1989
Date:
HKB 243
CC:
PS/Mr Waldegrave
PS/Mr Maude PS/PUS
Sir J Fretwell
Mr Blatherwick
Mr Gillmore
Mr McLaren
Mr Ratford
Miss Spencer
Mr Griffiths, Finance Dept Mr Heard, ODA
Mr Paul, Hong Kong Dept) Mr Hulse, EED
separate copies
186
FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
1.
Further to my minute of 8 November, I understand that arrangements are now in hand for the preparation of a Memorandum (on Vietnamese Boat People and Aid to Eastern Europe) for submission to the FAC in advance of the oral evidence session on Wednesday 6 December at 4.15 pm.
2. Robert Wilson, the Clerk to the FAC, has already told me that he thought evidence should be given at Under-Secretary level. You will therefore wish to consider which
Under-Secretaries should give evidence to the Committee on 6 December. Unfortunately, Mr Ratford will not be available as he will be in Paris at that time. Mr McLaren hopes to be available but will not know definitely until nearer the time; in these circumstances he has suggested that we should assume that he will be here to give evidence to the Committee on 6 December, but that alternative arrangements should nevertheless be made in case he does find that he is obliged to be abroad.
3.
I have spoken to Mr Heard (APS/Mrs Chalker (Parliamentary)) at the ODA. He will be seeking the views of John Kirby, the appropriate Under-Secretary on the ODA side.
4. Once it has been decided which Under-Secretaries are to be involved, you will wish to discuss with them the precise format they require for briefing. I would hope that, as before, the Clerk will provide (in confidence) advance notice
SBBAAV
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