TNAG-0834-FCO40-1042-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Office-seminar-on-the-future-of-Bri-1979 — Page 196

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1. I agree that it would be most valuable if Mr Ridley were able to attend part of the time, particularly perhaps at the beginning.

2.

With great respect I have doubts about inviting Sir B Braine.* He is extremely knowledgeable about this subject; but I fear that in this particular context we might simply be treated to long monologues about the iniquity of HMG's treatment of the Banabans, and that the whole Seminar might dissolve into a slanging match between

Sir Bernard and Professor. Murray, who acted as Constitutional Adviser to the Gilbert Islands Government in the run-up to independence.

I confess that I cannot off-hand think of any other MP who is equally knowledgeable but less likely to provoke controversy as opposed to spirited discussion.

17 July 1979

A.D. Knatten

RJ Stratton

A further consideration is that he was invited to the last FCO Seminar on the Commonwealth at St John's College,

a year ago.