TNAG-1155-FCO40-1435-Visits-by-Members-of-Parliament-(MPs)-to-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 277

Reference HKK 026/42

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SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE : REPORT ON HONG KONG

1.

44274

We have received a telegram from the Governor of Hong Kong, asking that any references to the future in the published report should be carefully vetted beforehand. Mr Williamson (Security Branch, Hong Kong) has also sent a teleletter requesting a view of the report as early as possible and 'particularly' before publication.

2.

I spoke with Mr Butler (PCCU) who told me that, as is standard practice with Select Committee work, the draft report will not be circulated for comment or vetting. The only official consultation would be for verification of statistics or quotations.

3.

He considered it unlikely that the report would be published before December. Furthermore, he thought that the Committee, whose travels have been extensive, would probably confine its report to Hong Kong, since this may be the only area where they will have sufficient data to make a full report worthwhile.

4.

Off the record he suggested that if Hong Kong could be more specific about their anxieties he could bring particular points to the attention of the Clerk of the Committee. This should be done as soon as possible. An alternative and perhaps less effective method would be to submit unsolicited material covering areas of concern.

5.

I propose replies to the Governor and Mr Williamson along the lines of the attached drafts.

CODE 18-77

21 September 1982

iday

Buter

M T Burton

T/L Sent

24/9/42

CONFIDENTIAL