TNAG-0525-FCO40-620-Visit-of-UK-Members-of-Parliament-(Defence-and-External-Affa-1975 — Page 188

wikut kave me hain on hedlide?

Rek

110

SECRET

Mr Goodison, SED

Mr O'Keeffe, HKIOD

Mr Tonkin, PUSD

cc Mr Sloman (PCCU)

Mr Cormack

VISIT BY PARLIAMENTARY SUB-COMMITTEE ON EXPENDITURE TO CYPRUS AND KONG KONG

1.

I had already been talking to MOD about briefing for the Sub-Committee before I saw Mr Tonkin's minute of 3 September to Mr Sloman. My understanding of the position is as follows:-

Cyprus

They are

MOD do not intend to brief the Sub-Committee. however preparing some briefing material for use by CBF and if appropriate the High Commissioner. This is being sent to

us in draft in a minute by Mr Blanks, copies of which are going to PUSD and Defence Dept. I attach a copy for Mr Goodison. I disturbed to see that the first sentence of para 5 suggests that the Committee should be told that withdrawal would be our prefer course, without any kind of political or security rider. Cur public position is surely that there is no change in our position over the SBAS, except for a certain reduction in the level of forces following the Defence Review. Can we really say any more than this, even in confidence, to the Committee? I am sinileniy disturbed at the sentence in para 8, which talks about an uncerti Curation for our presence in the SBAS. Would it not be better to omit this sentence?

Hong Kong

Again, MOD do not intend to brief the Sub-Committee before the visit. They say that they have learned from experience that this is usually a waste of time. They do however propose to have a "wash-up session" with the Committee after the visit. Hea hilo, they propose to send a short letter of briefing material to (37. It will be cleared with us in draft; indeed I understand t ourselves producing some of the material. If we wish howev brief the Committee ourselves on any FCO interests, MOD woul see no reason to object.

Teddy Janka

JE Jackson Defence Dept

8 September 1975

SECRET