TNAG-1536-FCO40-2100-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-resettlement-in-third-countri-1986 — Page 160

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way forward was not yet clear.

One possibility was to amend French

legislation. M Plaisant agreed that defence contacts were satisfactory. There had been disappointment over the European combat aircraft, but there were prospects for long term cooperation. Mr Weston noted that raising the ceiling of liability for NPWSs could have a positive effect in reassuring public opinion that the Government saw no grounds for concern over nuclear safety. It would be good for Mr Younger and M Giraud to be able to announce a

He would be happy to positive outcome when they met in September. discuss the matter with the Qual Legal Advisers. In response to a question by M Gérard, Mr Ratford said that a limited increase liability ceiling was not enough; there must be unlimited liability.

No Passport Excursions

15. Mr Ratford said that recent statistics showed that current arrangements were working better than had been feared.

in the

The British

side was therefore content for the time being not to press for change. But he wondered whether arrangements could be simplified for parties of British school children, including non-UK nationals, on short educational visits to France. M Plaisant and M Boissy agreed that in practice such groups were unlikely to include potential illegal immigrants and agreed to discuss the question with

the Interior Ministry.

Franco-British Council

The

16. Mr Ratford mentioned the question of finance and level of participation for the Franco-British Council conference in Cardiff in 1987. Mr Ratford said it was desirable to balance participation on both sides. Discussions could perhaps be better structured. British section had set up a steering committee; perhaps the French section should do likewise and the two could meet to discuss this aspect. M Plaisant thought that the Avignon approach had been quite

Mr Ratford good, although some conclusions had been too ambitious. hoped that more younger people and women could be involved. M Gérard said that the French section was considering some enlargement and perhaps this would provide an opportunity.

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