D23/2
Mr Thomson
PRU
Mr Ricketts, HKD
From: QG Eyre-Wilson
Parliamentary Relations Unit
Date: 23 February 1993
cc: Private Secretary
PS/Ministers
PS/PUS
Sir J Coles
Mr Hum
Mr Alston
Mr Davies FED
Mr Lewty MVD Special Advisers
FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (FAC) INQUIRY: HONG KONG
1.
You are already aware that the FAC proposes to follow up its 1988/89 report on Hong Kong. By way of preparation the Committee have asked for a memorandum updating the Government replies to the report (Cm 927 and Cm 1082 refer, copies attached).
2.
The Committee would like to receive information about all its recommendations, including those not accepted by the Government. Two points in which the Committee have expressed particular interest are (a) the position of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, and (b) arrangements for British citizenship for key people in Hong Kong and their dependents.
3. The Memorandum should be suitably titled and bear the reference FCO/FAC/3/93. It should be prepared in accordance with the instructions in DSP Pol Vol 2 (chapter 8 and annexes 8.3 and 8.4 are relevant) and in the attached Memorandum of Guidance for Officials. Normally papers for the FAC are unclassified but if, in response to paragraph 2(b) above for example, a decision was taken to supply classified information to the FAC, it would be on the understanding that it is not to be published and is to be read only by FAC members within the Committee office.
4. The Memorandum should be cleared through PS/PUS, PS/Mr Goodlad and Private Office. The FAC has asked that it should reach them by 31 March. I should be grateful if it could reach me in final form by 30 March.
Q G Eyre-Wilson
Parliamentary Relations Unit