TNAG-1337-FCO40-1769-Meetings-with-FCO-officials-held-by-Richard-Luce--Minister-o-1984 — Page 4

CONFIDENTIAL

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FROM: P WESTMACOTT

DATE: 16 November 1984

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Sir P Cradock FED

Parliamentary Unit

HONG KONG: OFFICE MEETING: 16 NOVEMBER

1. The following is a checklist of the points we discussed with Mr Luce this morning.

(a) Sir Y K Pao. Sir Y K told Mr Luce on 15 November that

the Chinese were inviting him to the signature ceremony in Peking. He had turned down an invitation to chair a new HK-Shanghai committee, but had given it some money. On the familiar problem of his grandchildren's access to the UK, Mr Luce had suggested that once they had reached the age of 18 they should apply to settle arguing "independent means" and links with Britain. Sir Y K indicated that he would seek the FCO's help with an appointment to discuss the problem with the Home Office (?Mr Waddington) when he was next in London.

(b) Legislation.

Parliamentary Counsel had already produced a draft Bill. Decisions would be needed soon on whether to debate the Bill on the floor of the House or in Committee. This should be discussed at the Secretary of State's meeting with the Whips (now fixed for 9 am on Friday, 23 November).

(c) Debate. 5 and 6 December were blocked off in the

Parliamentary calendar but a firm decision on the date would probably not be taken until a week beforehand. On the length of the debate, it was agreed that account should be taken of Mr Healey's views. George Robertson MP had already expressed the view that two days would be necessary; Private Office tell me that Mr Healey told the House after the summer recess that he too preferred two days. They would like to see a note setting out our own preferences before inviting the Secretary of State to raise the matter again with Mr Healey. You agreed to let Mr Luce have a checklist of all points of interest to MPs which might crop up during the debate.

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