TNAG-1308-FCO40-1665-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 24

FROM:

DATE:

AGR BUTLER

215

2 MARCH 1984

Private Secretary

FAC: EVIDENCE BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE

Now see

munte 28/3.

1. The Committee have decided that when the Secretary of State gives evidence to them on 14 March (now at 4.45pm) they will concentrate their attention on

a)

East-West relations; and

b)

the situation in the Middle East.

In addition they will probably wish to raise

Mikkogol

RCFENSONT FEN

ра

0157

1 MAR 204

INDEX

c) the Sino-British talks on Hong Kong; and

d)

the forthcoming European Council, 19-20 March.

ZA

JB 21/3

see

2.

The East-West item is designed (as is Mr Walker's Motion on 9 March) to be helpful and to enable the Secretary of State to be forthcoming on future initiatives. On Hong Kong they will expect a statement on the current state of progress in the talks On the EC Heads of Government meeting the Secretary of State could take the opportunity to address himself to the UK domestic audience.

3.

I shall have further guidance from the Clerk on likely

lines of questioning (rather than actual questions) on Thursday

8 March after the Committee have considered their own draft brief.

(216)

I will then commission briefs as necessary. In the meantime, departments concerned can consider what will be required.

Cc:

PS/PUS

Sir J Bullard

Mr John Houston Planning Staff Soviet Department EED

Defence Department.

ACDD

NENAD

MED

HKD L

ECD (I)

News Dept

AGR Butler

Parliamentary Unit

Mr. Hym

Mr. Powell

(Latius de satte hud).

съз

We shall need to prepare an

otatiment & supplementores. opening statement o

о

Questions will be pretty penetrating. Pl. opeah

1/3