TNAG-1837-FCO40-2612-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 20

CONFIDENTIAL

MDH

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OWN DECISIONS AND HOW INFREQUENTLY THESE ARE IMPOSED FROM WHITEHALL. WE SHALL SEE IF WE HAVE ANY DOCUMENTS THAT SET THIS OUT CLEARLY. ONE OF THE INFORMATION PAPERS HANDED TO THE CHINESE DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS ON THE FUTURE MIGHT BE A USEFUL BASIS FOR A SUBMISSION TO THE FAC.

6. PAPERS FOR THE COMMITTEE. THERE MAY WELL BE INDIVIDUAL CASES, E.G. VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, WHERE THE HKG WOULD WISH TO PUT IN A SEPARATE SUBMISSION AND WHERE IT WOULD BE POLITICALLY HELPFUL TO BE SEEN TO DO SO. WHERE THE FCO IS SUBMITTING PAPERS I ASSUME THESE WILL BE AGREED BETWEEN US IN THE USUAL WAY.

7. TRAVEL. I SEE NO DIFFICULTY IN A VISIT BY THE FAC TO HONG KONG IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 16 APRIL OR INDEED IN ANY OTHER OF THE WEEKS SUGGESTED BY WILSON.

8. ADVICE ON WHOM THE FAC SHOULD SEE. WE CAN ADVISE ON THE SIZE ETC OF ORGANISATIONS WHICH PUT IN SUBMISSIONS OR WISH TO SEE THE COMMITTEE. BUT I WOULD BE CHARY OF ADVISING WHOM THE COMMITTEE SHOULD SEE. THEY WILL HAVE TO MAKE UP THEIR OWN MINDS: WE SHOULD NOT RISK BEING ACCUSED OF TRYING TO INFLUENCE THEM.

9. PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS. REG HOLLOWAY IS CONTENT THAT THE BTC SHOULD LOOK AFTER ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS SUCH AS HOTELS AND TRANSPORT. IN ADDITION THE HKG CAN PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE THAT THE CLERK MAY REQUIRE IN DRAWING UP A PROGRAMME OF MEETINGS CAND VISITS?) DURING THEIR WEEK IN HONG KONG AND IN HANDLING THE MEDIA.

10. VENUE. ONE OBVIOUS VENUE FOR ANY OPEN HEARINGS HELD IN HONG KONG WOULD BE THE FORMER LEGCO CHAMBER, WHICH HAS A PUBLIC GALLERY, ROOM FOR THE MEDIA AND SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION FACILITIES. WE ALSO HAVE A GOOD-SIZED CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT WHICH COULD BE USED FOR CLOSED HEARINGS. IT HAS SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION FACILITIES BUT ONLY VERY LIMITED ROOM FOR THE PUBLIC OR THE MEDIA.

11. FINALLY I WONDER IF IT MIGHT BE USEFUL FOR HOARE AND LEEKS TO CALL ON WILSON DURING MY VISIT TO LONDON. THEY COULD GIVE HIM AN INFORMAL FEEL FOR LOCAL ATTITUDES AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OF DETAIL HE MAY HAVE. IF HE WOULD FIND THIS HELPFUL, GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD ARRANGE A MEETING AT A SUITABLE TIME, E.G. IN THE AFTERNOON OF 21 FEBRUARY OR THE AFTERNOON OF 23 FEBRUARY.

WILSON