TNAG-2717-FCO40-3923-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1993 — Page 84

Mr Hum

PS/Mr Goodlad

CONFIDENTIAL

Flour

FROM:

DATE:

CC:

J C Morris

Hong Kong Department

8 December 1993

Private Secretary

Sir J Coles

Mr Fry, FED

Mr Culshaw, News Dept Mr Larner, News Dept

HONG KONG: FAC EVIDENCE SESSION, 8 DECEMBER: PRESS LINE

Problem

The need to respond to press enquiries about criticisms

by Sir P Cradock made before the FAC on 8 December.

1.

Recommendation

2.

I submit a draft line for use by News Department in response to queries and recommend that Mr Culshaw should use it in unattributable briefing with Diplomatic Correspondents.

Background

3.

Sir P Cradock gave his evidence alone over about 75 minutes. Sir A Donald and Sir R Evans gave theirs together over about 45 minutes. As expected, Sir P Cradock spoke critically in familiar terms. The other two were reluctant to be drawn into specific criticisms. In particular Sir A Donald did not discuss the 1990 exchanges and there is therefore no need to deploy the line in Mr Ricketts'

submission of 7 December.

CONFIDENTIAL