CONFIDENTIAL
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FROM: R D CLIFT, HKD
DATE: 12 December 1983
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HONG KONG: BRIEFING OF BACKBENCHERS
KONG:
1.
Your minute of 8 December. Mr Luce's meeting on 9 December.
2.
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PS/PUS
Mr Giffard Mr Donald
This was discussed at
It was agreed that Opposition MPs should be offered, through the Whips Offices of the various Parties, similar briefings to that already offered to Conservatives. The offer should be made soon but briefing would not take place until MPs had reassembled after the Recess. We should aim to get the bulk of the briefing over by mid-February.
3.
It was agreed that since the briefing would be factual and historical, it would be reasonable to make presentations to fairly large groups, although it would probably be impracticable to get everybody together in one batch. The best procedure would probably be for Mr Luce to make an introductory presentaton and for officials (eg Mr Donald and myself) to follow on.
4.
The Department were asked to provide suggested wording for the offer. For the Opposition parties I suggest the following formula: th
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'Members might find it helpful to have a briefing
on the historical background to Hong Kong and on its current political, economie and social position. The FCO would be happy to arrange this for interested members after the end of the Recess. Inki teay)
Proposed dates would be say] 18 January and 8
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On the assumption that it would be presentationally better not to divide up MPs into Government and Opposition in giving these briefings, I suggest that the Conservative Whips be asked simply to inform those MPs who have already expressed an interest of the proposed dates.
Blig
12 December 1983
CONFIDENTIAL
R D Clift
Hong Kong Department
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.