IL Pok
wh. Ve
Mr Hu
Hym
CONFIDENTIAL
HKX 040/31
RECEIVEL
REGISTRY
2 8 NOV 1984
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
99
cc. M. Bunfor Mr. Xound
Ü 23% n
SECRETARY OF STATE'S MEETING WITH THE ACTING CHIEF WHIP:
23 NOVEMBER
་
149
GK 28/1
1. At the meeting this morning the Acting Chief Whip said that the Whips would prefer to avoid a two-day debate if possible. At present they had only 5 December pencilled in. There was now expected to be a different debate on 6 December, which Mr Hattersley wanted and would not wish to shift. The Secretary of State said that he had understood that two days would be available and had indicated that if necessary they could be made available to Mr Healey. After some discussion it was agreed that the best option would be a debate of one day extended until midnight. Another possible option might be an open-ended debate going into the small hours: this however would be unpopular with members who wanted an answer to the points they raised. A two-day debate with an interval between the two days was thought undesirable for a number of reasons. Finally the Whips agreed that if pressure for a two-day debate proved irresistible, they would try to have it on 5 and 6 December and put off Mr Hattersley. They would try to have Mr Hattersley and Mr Healey argue it out between them. They will now take further soundings of the Opposition Whips.
2. The Whips were broadly content with the motion which the Secretary of State proposed, but thought that it should identify the two White Papers. I am amending it accordingly.
3.
On briefing, the Whips were in favour of some advance briefing being done before the White Paper on acceptability was published at least to Opposition leaders, and Conservative and Opposition MPS involved in relevant parliamentary organisations. Mr Luce will consider this further. Such briefing would have to take place on Wednesday evening. If possible we should attempt to have confidential advances of the White Paper available for Opposition leaders on Privy Council terms. We shall inevitably have to provide briefing for the meetings on Wednesday when Mr Luce had decided what they should be.
4.
There was a brief discussion of the Bill. Those present were uncertain what QL meetings would take place this month. It was thought that circulation should take place to QL members as early as possible in December. Fred Burrows said that this
was
rather tight and I added that we should probably not be able to get EXCO approval in time. The Secretary of State suggested that we should circulate the Bill in advance of EXCO approval. Any amendments could be cleared in correspondence later. The aim should be to have the Bill ready to introduce as soon as
/Parliament
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.