TNAG-1028-FCO40-1278-Visits-by-Members-of-Parliament-to-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 42

布政司署

香港下亞厘

本署檔號 OUR REF:

來函檔號 Your ReF:

1PU

CONFIDENTIAL

CAKK 026/4

НИК

31

GOVERNMent secRETARIAT

LOWER ALBERT ROAD

HONG KONG

18 September, 1981

RD Clift Eså

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i got.

Hong Kong & General Department

F CO

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MR ROBERT BATTERSBY, EUROPEAN MP

Bb Crowe UK Rep Brussels

DIFord

4190

Copies

FED

sent 25/9/81 Smellis

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See

66.

We recently had here, on the way to China, a group of European MPs including Mr Battersby, a British Euro MP.

2.

One of Mr Battersby's interests was the suggestion that there should be a Hong Kong group in the European Parliament similar to the one in Westminster.

His views, He talked to a number of us about this idea.

on this and other related matters, are summed up in the attached minute by the Governor recording their discussion.

3.

I think that all of us formed a similar view of Mr Battersby. He is a pleasant, well-meaning man, with a somewhat butterfly mind and a considerable interest in his own commercial ventures. While we see some merit in having a group of European MPs well informed about Hong Kong, we are far from sure that this should be a formal group (and, if so, it would need very careful thought and preparation, including discussion with you) and are even less convinced

This is, that Mr Battersby would be the person to run it. however, one of the things which we could discuss, informally and in slow time, with Sir Paul Bryan when he comes here in early October.

4.

Meanwhile, as you will see from his minute, the Governor was anxious that what was, and was not, said during his discussion with Mr Battersby should be on record in case the latter should produce a highly coloured version of the discussion when he returns to London or Brussels. leave it to you therefore to copy this letter elsewhere if you think it necessary.

May I

See

32

(D C Wilson)

CONFIDENTIAL

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