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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
2 5 MAY 1990
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DESK OFFICER
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REGISTRY
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Action Taken
Commissioner hosted a lunch for Paul Channon and Christopher Butler, MPs, this afternoon. The undersigned wa so present.
on
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Both MPs belong to Group 3 the waverers against. and are the expanded sponsored visit programme. Chanton Will be leaving for Hong Kong on 30 March and Butler on 12 April.
We rehearsed the arquments for the nationality package. Their reservations seemed to centre on whether the package would work and, if it did not, whether it would be worthwhile to split the Tory Party further in these difficult times by introducing such a controversial issue into Parliament. We explained why we think the package would Work
the likely consequences if nothing was done by the UK. While they still remained skeptical. Channon gave the jmpras av!? that he
Sympathetic 1..> Hong Kong's case. Butler however seemed to still hold on to his
was
They seemed to expect the Nationality Bill to be published in the following week. While Channon wanted the Bill to be put to a Standing Committee, Butler wanted it to be debated on the floor of the whole House. (This is again a reflection the extent of their opposition to the package). Channon fell that the Bill should be able to pass the second reading without great difficulty. He and Butler however agreed that the rea. danger iled 1ก tre objectors trying to filibuster the Pill ani the Government failing to quillotine
IT
They are both werth working on hard auring their Visit to
Heatin