TNAG-2743-FCO40-3958-Visits-by-Commonwealth-officials--ministers-and-public-figur-1993 — Page 124

D of Adm

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PAO(C) (7) to 24/5691/74

Association of Presiding Officers of

Commonwealth Legislatures

1.

The Australian Consul-General told me on 9 February

that Mr Maclay, the Australian Speaker, has resigned.

She was still trying to get to the bottom of his reported remarks in South Africa but she assured me that they had been personal and

in no way represented the views of the Australian Government.

2.

I am not sure where this leaves us procedurally in respect of an invitation to Mr Swaine to attend the next

plenary meeting of the Commonwealth Speakers as an observer. an copying this, like my minute of 16 January, to Mr Ricketts and Canberra. Anything which HKD can find out about the procedure for invitations would be useful, as would anything Canberra can provide on the likely attitude of the new

Australian Speaker.

Lo Emman

H

c.c.

(W G Ehrman) Political Adviser

9.2.1993

CS

PS/GH

Mr Ricketts, HKD, F C Q Mr Blunt, HC Canberra

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