TNAG-1243-FCO40-1557-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 97

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SUMMARY RECORD OF MEETING ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG BETWEEN MR LUCE

AND FCO OFFICIALS

2 DECEMBER 1983

Mr Luce, Minister of State

Mr Giffard, DUS

Mr Clift, Head, HKD

Mr Thomson, FED

Mr Wye, Research Department

Mr Warren-Gash, PS/Mr Luce

Mr Morris, HKD

PRESENT:

MIKKO 40|1.

CM19/12

RN TASK GROUP: POSSIBLE REPAIRS TO 'INVINCIBLE'

It was

1. The problem over 'Invincible' appears to be falling away, as she would probably be able to go to Singapore for repairs.

however noted that US warships frequently visited Hong Kong, and that we were in danger of putting oursleves in a false position

whereby foreign warships could visit but our own were discouraged from doing so.

BRIEFING OF MPs

(a) Opposition Leaders on Privy Councillor Terms:

It was still not clear whether No 10 were happy for this to go

ahead, although Dr Owen and Mr Steel had been briefed in May and' authority had been received for Mr Healey to be briefed then too.

ACTION: Mr Clift to follow up with Private Offices to seek the go ahead as soon as possible.

(b) Government Backbenchers:

Mr Luce had a list of some 17 new MPS interested in a briefing on Hong Kong. This would be provided by FCO officials and would involve essentially factual background material.