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The sort of information Hong Kong is
looking for cannot be exhaustively defined.
General surveys of aspects of the political
and economic scene, which would normally be
the subject of a despatch, are what Maddocks
has chiefly in mind. Hong Kong do get many
of the despatches in print, but only after a
considerable lapse of time; it would be much
more helpful if a copy could be supplied direct
by the originating post at time of issue.
Despatches normally describe and assess
developments some time after they have occurred;
the more important developments are often
reported on nearer their occurrence by
informal letter and it would therefore be very
much appreciated if, in appropriate cases,
these also could be copied direct to Hong Kong.
We do not, of course, overlook the fact that
many posts are already sending copies of
reports of obvious direct interest to Hong Kong
and are even corresponding with the Colony on
such matters.
Clearly what is sent must be left to your
discretion. We do not envisage that there
will be any need to send material rating a
higher classification than "Confidential".
In any case we would ask you to send all such
material to :
Political Adviser,
Colonial Secretariat,
Hong Kong
and he will act as a filter before it is
disseminated for use in the Department of
Commerce and Industry.
/ We hope