TNAG-1154-FCO40-1434-Visits-by-Members-of-Parliament-(MPs)-to-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 254

FUT, 060/1

Reference...E.

NOTE FOR

FILE

SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE:

VISIT TO USA JAPAN AND HONG KONG

-

ник 026/z RECEIVED IN BEG TRY NO. 51

* JUN 1982

DESK OFICER

REGISTRY

EVIDENCE

INDEX

PA

on Takag

Pan 14/6

I have discussed with the Clerk the way in which the Committee__envisages taking its evidence in Washington, Tokyo

ong Kong during its visit next month.

1.

and H

WASHINGTON

2.

Broadly speaking, they hope for discussions with the Americans along the lines of those on Trident two years ago ie frank, and on a confidential (or even higher classification) but need to know' basis. There will be no formal taking of evidence. A record will be made by the Clerk. This will be for the Committee's own information. But if the Committee eventually decides that any matter noted is to be published, with or without attribution to US sources, then they will seek to clear both the desirability of publication and the accuracy of the record with the Americans in advance of publication.

ΤΟΚΥΟ

3. Discussions with the Japanese will follow the same pattern though the Committee expect them to be less sensitive (so far as the UK is concerned) and hence less "confidential".

HONG KONG

4.

The taking of evidence from British forces in Hong Kong (who unlike the Americans and Japanese are within the Select Committee's jurisdiction) will be more precise. With a view to publication, there may well be a formal session towards the end of the visit, and the Clerk is checking on the availability of tape-recording facilities to this end. (Note: MOD are in touch with CBFHK on this aspect).

GENERAL

5. If the Committee are given classified documents or have made identifiably classified notes, in Washington and Tokyo, they will ask the Embassy to forward these to the Committee in London by diplomatic bag.

In Williamem.

Are they taky credinc

from e... Sec. for secrinity

Cc: FED

LIKEDV

Defence Dept

$10

Chancery Washington Chancery Tokyo

དེ་ཚུན་

A GR Butler

Parliamentary Commissioner and

Committees Unit

233-3952

8 June 1982

CODE 18-77