TNAG-1848-FCO40-2623-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 4

CONFIDENTIAL

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371

30 MAY 1989

Mr Paul

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FAC INQUIRY

The Assistant Committee Clerk telephoned late on 7 April to say that the Committee was planning to take formal evidence from the following witnesses in the UK:

1.

(i) Lord MacLehose

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

Sir Philip Haddon-Cave Hong Kong Association Hong Kong Link

(v) ? Sir Percy Cradock (vi) ? Sir Denys Roberts

Invitations have already issued to Lord MacLehose and Sir Philip Haddon-Cave (Mr McLaren's minute of 7 April) and will issue shortly to the Hong Kong Association and Hong Kong Link.

2.

3.

The Committee hoped that Sir P Cradock might be prepared to give evidence in his capacity as a well-known former Ambasador to China, so that they would have something on record about the Chinese perspective (all their evidence in Peking would be taken informally). But the Committee would not pursue this idea if we thought it would be awkward for Sir P Cradock to give evidence. this was the case, could we suggest someone else?

If

4. The Committee also wanted to take evidence from someone with a knowledge of the Hong Kong legal system. Sir Denys Roberts seemed an obvious obvious choice as a recent former Chief Justice (until 1988). But the Clerk wondered whether his appointment as Chief Justice in Brunei (which he had previously held concurrently with his appointment in Hong Kong) ruled him out on practical grounds. If so, could we suggest someone else?. I understand that Sir D Roberts only visits Brunei occasionally so this need not be a major obstacle. But before speaking to the Clerk I should be grateful to know if you or Mr McLaren have any views on Sir D Roberts' suitability as a possible witness.

CODE 18-77

10 April 1989

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: Mr McLaren

Miss Bailey, PRU

Rosalind

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CONFIDENTIAL

R Marsden

Hong Kong Department

Miss Marson

Thanks. We spile

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