05-04-1990 11:23 HKGO LONDON 01 495 5033
44 1 495 5033 P.03
ONG KONG JUNKETS CLAIM
Tories were accused today of enjoying junkets to Hong Kong,
Whips'
y their
Office
PR firm, and a ontroversial Hong Kong Bil. 1 .
Sponsored
to ensure support for the
A
its
The charge which sparked a furious Commens row
furious Commons row came minutes before the
Was introduced without debate or ritish Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill
and formally F॰ :* ૩ {} A ote.
first time. The measure, which paves the way for up to 30,000 Hong Kong families o be granted British citizenship as scheduled for second reading on ain principle on Thursday April 19 the day after the Commons returns
Easter PECESS. There has been extensive speculation of a major ory revolt led by ex Cabinet Minister Norman Tebbit.
During points of order today, Mr Marlow (Northampton N】 asked the peaker Bernard Weatherill; You have heard of the Vietnamese boat people
rom
the
aware
、
also the
are you
of the Hong Kong plane people?//
are being sent to Hong He said: Planeloads of Conservative members ong or have been sent to Hong Kong and that the name of Ian Greer \ssociates, I think have been mentioned, I might be incorrect,
.. -mentioned. Tory Party Whips Office has been
than two weeks, in less occur The debate the Hong Kong Bill was
00
I believe, that It is a matter of interest, be pointed out adding: It is certain Conservative Members of Parliament have been wined and dined.
Such trips, if paid for out of public funds, should be declared in the
he said. Register of Members Interests,
to
But the four-week limit sllowed before registering meant that those flying out this weekend would not be known before the second reading debate a week later.
*
I think we ought to know, This
•
་
ha
a very important matter, and has caused a great deal of controversy within the Conservative Party and the country
Mr Weatherill said
ર serious allegation had been made but that
an interest before they spoke WAS SUTE honourable members would declare or voted when the Bill was debated.
My colleagues are incorruptible, Mr Marlow agreed. Labour MPS called on Government Chief Whip Tim Renton to confirm or deny the allegations and Dennis Skinner (Lab Bolsover) demanded that Mr Marlow should name names’ to the Speaker.
Mr Renton did not seek to intervene.
was said he John Marshall (C Hendon S)
``in the Hong Kong, and had registered it
his visits to the Iraqi registers
dictatorship. Robert Key (C Salisbury), who said he had not been to Hong Kong, said to laughter: I regard members who go to foreign countries as people who become expert in those countries.
་
ong
of those who had visited Same way that Mr Marlow
Mr Weatherill said: May I say that wherever members go I hope they have a jolly good holiday.
A
:: Earlier, Tory Nicholas Budgen had protested that Bill was being pushed through the House before Opposition amendments could he
it might rebel. considerad, and threatened that 80 Tories opposed to
The British people, whose very nature is affected by this 6ill,
a slipshod way,''
not thank the Dovernment if it is done in a end m?b
he said.
wilk
TOTAL P.03
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