TNAG-2178-FCO40-3115-Hong-Kong-nationality-international-support-1990 — Page 125

CONFIDENTIAL

1. I agree generally.

In the first instance, I suggest that the Embassy in Washington should be asked to approach Solarz or his office to say:-

2.

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

It would not be possible, for reasons of general principle, for an FCO official to give formal evidence to his Sub-Committee.

We could however provide, through the Embassy, a letter setting out our general approach to the "brain drain" problem and answering any specific questions he might have.

If it would be helpful, we would also be prepared to send an FCO official to Washington to give an informal, off-the-record briefing to the Sub-Committee outside the formal Hearing.

We

It would also be helpful if the Embassy could establish the likely timing of the Sub-Committee's deliberations. could then consider, assuming the answer to (iii) is positive, who might best go to Washington.

31 January 1990

Cc:

Mr Gillmore

Mr Burns, NAD

Mr Burns, News Department

Mr McQuade, NTD

Mr Montgomery, MVD

Mr Walker, PPD

Mr Paul, HKD

MC7ABG

CONFIDENTIAL

Putujen

R J T McLaren