TNAG-1750-FCO40-2470-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 40

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1 HAB 040/2.

18 JAN 1988

FROM:

J G Rice

DATE:

CC:

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Debuts

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Parliamentary Relations Unit

12 January 1988

PS/Mr Eggar

PS/Lord Glenarthur

Mr McLaren

Mr Gilmore.

Mr Hum, HKD

Mrs Fewster, NTD

Private Secretary

DEBATE ON HONG KONG

1.

I have been advised by the Government Whips Office that they are proposing to arrange for a half day debate on Hong Kong on Wednesday 20 January. They plan the debate will be first business (3.30pm) until 7pm. They are content with a "take note" motion on the White Paper on the HK Annual Report 1987. The date and timing is not fixed and may change at the last minute.

2. It is hoped Mr Wakeham will announce the debate during his statement of forthcoming business on Thursday 14 January at about 3.30pm. The Whips are concerned that the White Paper, which the debate will take note of, will have been laid in the House only minutes before Mr Wakeham makes his statement and would prefer the White Paper be laid a day earlier, on Wednesday 13 January tomorrow. In addition, a copy should be sent to Mr Kaufman, soon as the Paper has been laid.

3.

↓

Late yesterday I was speaking to Virginia Bottomley MP (PPS to the Secretary of State) in the House who asked if we might prepare some briefing packs of unclassified background material about Hong Kong to place in the Library and hand out to Conservative members who may wish to add helpful contributions during the debate. She said she would get in touch with Mr Hum direct.

Jehin

JG Rice

Parliamentary Relations Unit

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