HKK 1/18
(10)
Reference...
E
Mr. Carter
With reference to your note on Mr. Fairclough's minute to Mr. Sykes of 5 December, I have looked at the arrangements for the circulation of telegrams concerning last year's disturbances in Hong Kong.
2.
At the outset of the disturbances, the distribution was relatively small, but as the disturbances continued the distribution built up until it reached the following maximum distribution which was maintained until the end of the disturbances:
JIC external distribution (I do not know if this is the same as the JIC additional distribution referred to in Mr. Eaden's minute of 3 December)
al
Department distribution.
In addition, copies were sent to: -
Private Secretary to the Prime Minister.
Cabinet Office
Foreign Office - individual officers in the
-
DIO, JIR.
Far Eastern Department.
Overseas Labour Adviser.
Overseas Police Adviser.
Treasury.
additional distribution can
Kr made
Exports Credit Guarantee Department
Ministry of Defence - various individual officers
Board of Trade
Australia House
Canada House
various individual officers
These addressees received copies of SITREPS only.
3. It is clear that additional distributions must be determined on an ad-hoc basis, having regard to the particular circumstances of the territory concerned. It often happens that despite the fact that various departments are included in the general distribution, the individual officers in those departments the often ask if they may be sent additional Copies of telegrams addressed to them by name. This is apparently because it sometimes takes a very considerable time indeed for officers to receive copies of telegrams if they wait for them to reach them as part of the general distribution.
4. I think there would be a definite advantage in laying down a basic distribution for times of trouble: which can be added to suit the circumstances of
individual territories. I am not competent to suggest what the basic distribution should be; can however say that the above distribution was perfectly adequate for the needs of Hong Kong last year.
20 December 1968
Maa.
I
(A. W. Gaminara) Hong Kong Department