TNAG-1842-FCO40-2617-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 50

ARZALM

CONFIDENTIAL

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167

HKB 011/3

From:

A R Paul

Hong Kong Department

Date:

14 March 1989

'

Mr Gillmore

PS/Lord Glenarthur

Private Secretary

PS/Mr Eggar

Cc:

Mr Teasdale

Mr McLaren o/r

Mr Holt, PRU

Mr Millington, FED

Mr Whitehead, News Dept

FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ENQUIRY INTO HONG KONG: SECRETARY OF STATE'S EVIDENCE, 22 MARCH 1989

1. I submit briefing for the Secretary of State's formal evidence session with the Foreign Affairs Committee at 10.30 am on 22 March. It takes account of points raised by members of the Committee and

All the material in the feedback from the Secretary of State. briefs can be used publicly. The briefs are likely to require further revision when the Clerk gives us a more precise indication of the line of questioning for the formal evidence session towards the end of this week.

2. One of the most difficult aspects of the evidence will be extent to which the Secretary of State responds in detail to specific questions from the Committee about the compatibility of certain Articles in the draft Basic Law with the Joint Declaration or conversely to questions about whether the draft as it stands adequately reflects the principles contained in the Joint Declaration. He can also expect to be pressed about the remaining

CONFIDENTIAL