TNAG-1846-FCO40-2621-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 100

CONFIDENTIAL COVERING SECRET

4. In the course of the briefing, the Committee showed a particular interest in the possible abuse of the Chief Executive's powers once the backstop of the FCO and the Westminster Parliament fell away; the role of the PLA; and the application of the death penalty in Hong Kong after 1997. The Committee raised a number of detailed questions about the Basic Law.

5.

The Committee made it clear that they much appreciated the

briefing and the further written information which we had provided, or would be providing (on the Basic Law, Air Services and Human Rights). The briefing also provided a useful indication of the

likely thrust of the Committee's thinking and of the sort of questions they may raise at future evidence sessions.

A 6.

I submit Miss Marsden's summary record of the main points

covered.

ARPanc

CONFIDENTIAL COVERING SECRET

A R Paul