TNAG-1263-FCO40-1606-Parliamentary-contacts-on-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 49

CONFIDENTIAL

Private Secretary

FROM: R D CLIFT, HKD DATE: 14 December 1983

FUTURE OF HONG KONG: BRIEFING THE OPPOSITION

1.

L

You asked about precedents. Dr Owen was briefed by Mr Pym on Privy Councillor terms on 19 August 1982 prior to his visit to Hong Kong. This was in pretty general terms and was of course before the Prime Minister's visit to Peking and Hong Kong.

2.

On 5 May 1983 Dr Owen and Mr Steel were briefed by Mr Pym more fully, again on Privy Councillor terms, on the state of play in the talks and on the future generally. Although the Prime Minister had agreed that Mr Healey could also be briefed then this does not take place, first because a convenient time could not be found and subsequently because of the General Election.

3.

I recommend that, if the Secretary of State can spare the time, Dr Owen and Mr Steel be briefed together, and that Mr Healey be given the same briefing but separately. Perhaps Mr Healey might be briefed first.

14 December 1983

CONFIDENTIAL

R D Clift

Hong Kong Department

HKK 040/16

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

22 DEL 1983

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