TNAG-2714-FCO40-3920-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1993 — Page 73

Mr Ricketts

Mr Morris

Heads of Section

ISTRY

HKB 011/8

RECE

07 JUL 1993

Reference

43

REGISTRY

PA

O Taken

BRIEFING FOR MR GOODLAD ́S MEETING WITH THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (14 JULY)

1. Mr Goodlad is due to give evidence to the FAC on the morning of Wednesday 14 July (10.30-12.30). I gather from PRU that although the Committee is not obliged to tell us what they will question the Minister about, they normally do give us an idea of their areas of interest, but often only 3-4 days beforehand. PRU will let us know as soon as they do, but we shall need to start work on the briefing before we hear from them.

2. In fact it should not be difficult to guess which are the main subjects likely to arise on Hong Kong eg, relations with China (including JLG), development of democracy, nationality, the airport, and commercial prospects for British firms. Could Section Heads therefore please begin to prepare material on these, and any other subjects they think may come up.

Presentation, as we discussed briefly, will need to be in extended supplementary form, ie a series of tirets grouped under each heading or question. Although broken down to be easily usable, the briefing will need to be pretty comprehensive. Mr Goodlad has said he will also want to make a short initial statement on the record. He has heard from Mr Howell that the focus of the enquiry is likely to be the longterm relationship with Hong Kong and China after 1997.

4. I have agreed with Greg Dorey and Lawrence Bristow-Smith that we and FED will submit our briefing separately, in time for the Minister's box on Friday 9 July. Could I, therefore, have your contributions by midday on 7 July please.

K. Saunders

KAM Saunders

WH 311

2 July 1993

meet.fac.PR.JRB CODE 18-77

270 3544