TNAG-1852-FCO40-2627-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 31

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491

2 NOV 1989

HKB 011/3

pa, 4/12 Mc Motor

FROM: A R Paul

HONG KONG DEPARTMENT

DATE: 28 November 1989

CC:

approve.

ман Minute

29/11.

PS/Mr Sainsbury

PS/Mr Maude

PS/PUS

Mr McLaren

Mr Gregson, PRU

W4/12

)

fa

F.M

Kappare

29 NOV 1989

HONG KONG: FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT: OBSERVATION BY THE

GOVERNMENT

Problem

A

1. The Government's observations on the Second Report of the

Foreign Affairs Committee on Hong Kong are to be published on

1 December. We need to inspire a PQ to announce the fact to

Parliament.

Recommendation

2.

I recommend an inspired PQ and reply on the lines of the

attached draft. PRU agree

B

Background

3. The Foreign Affairs Committee published their Second Report on

Hong Kong on 30 June. While it is common practice for the Government to reply within two months, the Chairman of the Committee

let it be known that he would prefer a definitive reply to the central recommendations of the Report when the Government was in a position to give it. However, as several months have now elapsed, the Secretary of State subsequently agreed with Mr Howell that we should publish an interim reply on 1 December.

KI PABG

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