TNAG-2168-FCO40-3105-House-of-Commons-Foreign-Affairs-Committee-inquiry-into-Hong-1990 — Page 214

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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY,

1 6 APR 1990

Date:

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY Action Taken

FAC file

SF Bailey (Miss)

Parliamentary Relations Unit

9 May 1990

Private Secretary

Mr Paul, HKD

Miss Marsden, HKD

PS/Mr Maude

FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO FAC ́s REPORT ON HONG KONG

1.

I

After speaking to Miss Marsden yesterday evening, telephoned Robert Wilson, Clerk to the Committee, to tell him it was now very unlikely that we would be able to publish our response before the Whitsun recess. Mr Wilson said he would report this to the Committee but he thought it probable that they would not be at all happy to receive such news; he pointed out that our Interim Response had, afterall, been published on 1 December last year, and the Chairman had written to the Secretary of State over two months ago. He thought the Committee would want to know why it was they were being kept waiting so long.

2. Mr Wilson has now telephoned to tell me that the matter was discussed at this morning's Committee meeting. As anticipated, the Committee were not at all happy at the prospect of further delay and the Chairman would be contacting either the Secretary of State or Mr Maude very shortly in order to press for publication before the Whitsun

recess.

3.

The practicalities of the printing and publishing situation are that, since it is only a short paper, HMSO could still manage publication on Tuesday 22 May, (FAC's preferred date) if we can provide them with the text tomorrow.

4.

I would be grateful if you would let me know the Minister's wishes.

DHCAIY

34 Bain

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SF Bailey (Miss)

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