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telno 1424), and that it would be helpful to field a senior and authoritative Legal Adviser. Mr Chamberlain, Deputy Legal
Adviser has kindly agreed to lead. He would wish to be
supported by Ms Barrett, and agrees with Hong Kong that David Edwards' (International Law Officer, Hong Kong) support would
also be very valuable.
7. There is a case for a senior official on the policy side also to attend to assist the legal advisers in case (as is likely) they are subjected to any pressure to address policy issues. There is however a counter-argument: if no policy officials were present, Mr Chamberlain might reasonably suggest that the Committee should address such questions to Ministers, on grounds that Legal Advisers have no
responsibility for policy. On balance I think it would be better to be seen to be as helpful as we can, and that therefore a senior policy official should attend. kindly agreed to do this, if Ministers wish it.
8.
Mr Hum has
On question of attendance "as one of a panel", there are potential serious drawbacks. As a matter of general policy it would not be right to subject a senior legal adviser to a forum in which his views are likely to be compared directly with those of other panel members. We should tell the Committee that we will be happy for a senior FCO legal adviser to give evidence, but that he should do this independently of any evidence they may seek from other legal experts.
J'Mani
J C Morris
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