CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL
he, together for example with Mr Shore and the Clerk, called on the Chinese Ambassador at an early stage after the Committee's meeting on 18 January to explain precisely the terms of reference of the Committee's enquiry, to make clear that they were not intending to make things difficult for the Chinese and offering the Ambassador the opportunity of giving the Committee his views at any stage in the Committee's enquiry.
6. Subject to the Secretary of State's view, I think we shall have to comply with the Committee's request. I have asked Mr Hum to start work on a short paper on the lines described in paragraph 4 above. I assume that the Secretary of State will wish to see a draft in his weekend box.
7.
More generally, I fear that this enquiry is not going to be helpful. But I hope we have steered it into channels which are as little damaging as possible. In practice, however, Committee members are likely to be in danger of straying into sensitive areas. I repeated to Mr Wilson the point we had put to the Chairman yesterday about the probable confidentiality of much of the evidence from HMG.
8. Mr Wilson told me that he had already spoken to Mr Holt and had agreed with him that, given the shortage of time, he would deal direct with me on this particular point.
DH Gillmore
CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL
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