TNAG-1298-FCO40-1653-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1984 — Page 42

CONFIDENTIAL

PS/Lady Young

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12 APRI984

FROM: R D CLIFT, HKD DATE: 10 April 1984

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HONG KONG: QUESTION BY LORD FANSHAWE

1. I attach an Answer to cover the expected Supplementary Question of Lord Fanshawe tomorrow as to whether there will be a statement about the Secretary of State's visit to China and Hong Kong.

2. The position is that, because there will be no discussion of Parliamentary business in the Commons this Thursday, there will be no opportunity for any firm information to be provided there before 26 April. There will be an Oral PQ by Mr Colin Moynihan MP on 25 April but the Answer to that will simply draw attention to the Secretary of State's statement in Hong Kong which will be by that time in the Library of both Houses. The question of Parliamentary handling will be dealt with by a Question to the Leader of the House on 26 April by Mr Kinnock who will ask whether time can be set aside for a short debate. Mr Biffen is expected to agree to this.

3. In the circumstances I am afraid that there is nothing that Lady Young can say definitely about a statement by HMG or a debate. The Answer has to be helpful but imprecise.

10 April 1984

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R D Clift

Hong Kong Department

CONFIDENTIAL