TNAG-1740-FCO40-2456-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-UK-Parliament-1988 — Page 121

PS/Mr Eggar Mr Neubert All PPSS

Mr Teasdale

Mr Fergusson

Miss Pestell

HKB 02013

13

FROM:

при

Mc Footman

P J Bacon

N

11/4

ра

Parliamentary Relations Unit

29 March 1988

DATE:

bcc:

SAFD

CRD

CAFD

EAD

HKD

SED

ITD

Mr Machin, ODA

MINUTES OF THE PARLIAMENTARY LIAISON GROUP 28 MARCH 1988

Present: Mr Eggar

Mr Neubert

Mrs Bottomley Mr Harris

Mr Knight

Mr Teasdale

Mr Bacon

Apologies: Miss Pestell

Mr Machin

FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES

Mr Makepeace

1. The issue thought likely next to attract attention was the proposed Rugby Tour of South Africa. Mr Eggar had been told by Neil Macfarlane MP that certain European countries were proposing to ban international golfers who had recently played in South African tournaments. It was agreed that some ground work was necessary. PPSS would need to identify backbenchers who would support the Government position if required; the subject would, for example, almost certainly arise during FCO questions on 30 March. Mr Neubert and the PPSS would find it useful to have a short background note and a line to take for use with backbenchers. (PRU will ask CRD/SAFD to prepare). It would be important not to give the impression that the FCO, rather than DOE, was the lead department.

2. Mr Andrew Hunter plus 6 other MPs, with wives, would be visiting Bophuthatswana during the Easter recess. The department had been asked to arrange a meeting with Mr Renwick.

3. A campaign on the Ethiopian Royal Family was getting under way; this would generate a number of MP's letters.

4.

•

Although

Backbench meetings had recently been addressed by the Zimbabwe High Commissioner and an ANC representative. not well attended, the attitude of both speakers towards sanctions had been interesting The Zimbabwe High Commissioner had emphasised the importance of not damaging Zimbabwe's economy and had only confirmed that Zimbabwe was in favour of sanctions in answer to questions. The ANC representative had given the impression of going through the motions when referring to

He had implied that the threat, rather than the

sanctions.