TNAG-1852-FCO40-2627-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 93

R Wilson Esq

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304

(474)

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Clerk to the House of Commons

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs

House of Commons

LONDON

SW1A OAA

London SW1A 2AH

17 August 1989

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011

13

PUL 012/4.

Dear Robert,

FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT ON HONG KONG

Thank you for your help in getting copies of the Committee's Report on Hong Kong ready for us so promptly. As you know, Sir Geoffrey Howe much appreciated the effort the Committee made to ensure that the Report was ready in advance of his visit to Hong Kong. Its publication then was particularly helpful and timely.

The normal deadline for replying to the Report would fall at the end of August. I understand that when the Head of Hong Kong Department mentioned to you that we would probably not be in a position to reply within the usual timescale, you indicated that there was unlikely to be any difficulty over this as far as the Members of the Committee are concerned.

We are, as you know, working urgently with the Home Office on a nationality package, details of which will be announced as soon as possible. In advance of this, it would be impossible for us to give a substantive response to the Committee's recommendations on nationality, which are, of course, a central element in the Report. Moreover, the new Foreign Secretary and his Ministerial colleagues would like a little more time to familiarise themselves with the other substantial issues before reaching any firm conclusions about the Committee's recommendations.

I shall of course keep you in touch with developments.

Your was,

Javid tree-

D Holt

Parliamentary Relation Unit