TNAG-1842-FCO40-2617-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 156

CONFIDENTIAL

HKB 011/3

155

027245 MDHIAN 6456

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 864

OF 13095OZ MARCH 89

INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON

Pussed to

Cammi Atly

FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR VISIT TO HONG KONG IN APRIL

1. THIS IS TO CONFIRM THAT GIS WILL PROVIDE ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE DESCREETLY AND IN THE BACKGROUND. A LIAISON OFFICER WILL BE NOMINATED IN DUE COURSE FOR THIS TASK. GRATEFUL FOR YOUR CONFIRMATION WHETHER THE FAC WILL BRING THEIR OWN PRESS OFFICER.

2. VENUE FOR FORMAL EVIDENCE SESSION. WE HAVE FOUND THE FORMER LEGCO CHAMBER NOT QUITE SUITABLE BY THE FAC'S OWN STANDARD (PROVIDED TO US BY HUTTON THROUGH HOARE AND LEEKS IN LONDON). THE PROBLEM LIES WITH INSUFFICIENT SPACE FOR A ROSTRUM FOR 9 MEMBERS AND A AMPHITHEATRE TYPE (ALBEIT ROOFED) SEATING ARRANGEMENT BENEATH THE ROSTRUM. WE HAVE FOUND A SEEMINGLY MORE SUITABLE VENUE IN A GOVERNMENT BUILDING IN CENTRAL WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH FULL SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION FACILITES AND PUBLIC/PRESS STAND WITH SEATS. WE ARE FAXING THE LAYOUT TO THE COMMITTEE CLERK THROUGH YOU FOR CONFIRMATION OF ACCEPTABILITY.

3. VISIT PROGRAMME. COMMITTEE CLERK HAD INDICATED TO HOARE AND LEEKS IN LONDON THAT FAC EXPECT TO MAKE RELEVANT VISITS ON 18 AND 19 APRIL IN HONG KONG. WE PROPOSE FOUR OPTIONS, EACH TAKING UP HALF A DAY:

(A) HELICOPTER TOUR AND VISIT TO SHA TIN NEW TOWN

(B) BOAT TOUR COF THE HARBOUR AND BRIEFING ON BOARD) WITH A VISIT TO KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL

(C) BORDER VISIT, AND

(D) VBP CENTRE(S).

GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD SEEK THE COMMITTEE CLERK'S CONFIRMATION OF FAC'S CHOICE.

WILSON

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CONFIDENTIAL