TNAG-1839-FCO40-2614-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 103

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FROM:

DATE:

CC:

SF Bailey (Miss)

Parliamentary Relations Unit

16 February 1989

Private Secretary

PS/Lord Glenarthur PS/Mr Eggar

PS/PUS

Mr Gillmore

Mr McLaren

Miss Pestell

Mr Millington, FED

Mr Burns, News Department

Sir D Wilson, Governor

Hong Kong

Sir A Donald, Peking

Mr Paul, HKD

FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:

INQUIRY INTO HONG KONG

1. I attach a copy of a self explanatory letter from Mark Hutton, the Second Clerk to the Committee, about the Committee's forthcoming inquiry into Hong Kong.

2.

The Memorandum "Progress in Implementing the Sino-British Agreement of 1984 on Hong Kong" (FCO/FAC/3/89) should be prepared in accordance with the instructions contained in DSP 5 Chapter 8 Annexes 11 and 12 and in the Memorandum of Guidance for Officials. It should reach me in final form, approved by the PUS and Ministers, no later than 4 pm on Tuesday 28 February.

3. Once the Memorandum has been handed over, it becomes the property of the FAC. Although copies may be sent to Posts and freely distributed within the Office, they should not be given to third parties. Nor should quotes be taken from the Memorandum until after the FAC have made it available to the public (normally during the first FCO evidence session following receipt of the document).

4.

You will note that the Committee has confirmed their wish to take formal evidence from the Secretary of State in connection with this inquiry at 10.30 am on 22 March. During the preparation of the Memorandum you will, I am sure, be conscious that the Secretary of State will face oral

questions based to a considerable extent upon it. You should also give thought to, and consult the Private Secretary about, the briefing that will be required for this oral evidence session.

/I

H