TNAG-1418-FCO40-1901-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1985 — Page 190

A

Mr Leeks

Reference....

CONFIDENTIAL

PR. SCORRI

1.

جانے

SCORRI REPORT

I have spoken further to Mr Bacon, Parliamentary Unit, about what should be the form of our reply to Parliament on the report's recommendations.

1.

2.

Paragraphs 57

60 of the Memorandum of Guidance for Officials

give general guidelines.

3. Mr Bacon said that it is ultimately the Home Office's responsibility to coordinate the Government's response to the report. This will probably take the form of a Home Office White Paper, which include an

an FCO contribution on matters for which we are responsible.

4.

in

The alternative forms of reply outlined in para 60 of the Memorandum of Guidance Memoranda, letters and answers to PQ's would not on their own normally be considered an adequate response to a report of this kind. However there might be circumstances which an inspired PQ would be used in addition to a White Paper, in order to make clear our views on any particular point.

5.

publication The Government is expected to reply within two months of select committee. reports (para's 57 - 58 of the Memorandum of Guidance). Mr Bacon says the FCO tends to take this deadline more seriously than other Departments. If the reply is going to be delayed, this must be explained in a letter to the Chairman or Clerk to the Committee. Again, this would be the Home Office's responsibility in the case of the SCORRI report.

6. Given the length of time they normally take to reply to letters from Mr Luce, it seems me highly unlikely that the Home Office will be ready to publish a White Paper within two months. We will of course have to discuss this with Home Office officials. But if they do not propose to reply quickly, I suppose there might be a case for our using an inspired PQ to reply to some of the recommendations relating to Hong Kong (eg to reiterate our stand on the need for the continuation of the closed camp policy?).

CODE 18-77

18 April 1985

Сс

Mather

Olivia Walker

Hong Kong Department 233 3988

CONFIDENTIAL

мопрок nicole

MKK 243/2

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

19 APR 1985

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

REGISTRY Action Taken