TNAG-1750-FCO40-2470-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 172

SH1AFT

04 JAN 1988

CONFIDENTIAL

M/BOUC/2!

2 5 JAN 1988

DATE

Mr Maláren

Minule

Private Secretary

DEBATE ON HONG KONG

12

2

9

3

$

FROM :

CC :

A R Paul 82

Hong Kong Department

4 January 1988

PS/Lord Glenarthur

PS/Mr Eggar

Mr Gillmore

P RU

Somnitary of State

minuto

а

}

بید

A B

C

1. The debate on Hong Kong will take place on either 20 or 27

January. As the Secretary of State will be abroad for a substantial

part of the intervening period, he might appreciate an opportunity

to express preliminary views on certain aspects of the debate, so

that we can begin the necessary preparations in his absence. Copies

of the correspondence between Mr Kaufman and the Secretary of State

and the Secretary of State's minute of 11 December to the Lord Privy

Seal are attached.

Motion

2. The debate is to be on the Annual Report (which the Secretary

of State has already seen and approved in draft). The Report is now

being printed and will be laid before Parliament on 14 January. We

are arranging for this fact to be drawn to the attention of the

House by means of an inspired PQ. I suggest a motion on the following lines:

"That this House takes note of the White Paper on the Annual

Report on Hong Kong 1987 and endorses the policies which the

Government are pursuing to maintain Hong Kong's future

prosperity and stability".

Opening speech

3. I understand that it has already been agreed that the Secretary of State will make the opening speech and Mr Eggar will wind up. The Annual Report is by definition a wide ranging document. But it

CONFIDENTIAL