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when E.C.G.D. refused to grant loans for the construction of a cross-harbour tunnel on the terms which the consortium of Hong Kong companies wanted. Our briefing in this office on the final stages of the negotiations was nil and we had to base our defense of E.C.G.D.'s actions on agency reports. Fortunately opinion in Hong Kong was divided on the value of this project, and the majority of the criticism was directed against the Hong Kong Government and the private companies themselves. The principle, however, that the British Government office be kept in ignorance of a matter of such local importance is surely wrong.
5. In the case of the extension of the runway to Kai Tak Airport local opinion is unanimous that this is a must, and there is growing impatience at the delay over the negotiations. Should Hong Kong's request be turned down out of hand, or should widely stringent terms be imposed, there will be a howl of protest of 'perfidious Albion' and the arguments concerning the cross-harbour tunnel project will be revived with the danger of emotion taking charge over reason.
6.
I am therefore writing to ask that I may be supplied with some guidance on these two matters. May be such guidance will not come from you, but I am addressing my letter to you since my role in Hong Kong still does not appear to be generally understood in London. If you pass my request elsewhere it would be most helpful if you could emphasise the embarrassing situation in which I am placed in having to comment to the press, radio and television media on topics on which I have either inadequate or nil briefing. I can, of course, hide behind 'no comment', but in that case there would really be no point in remaining here as British Government spokesman.
Your
Chris
(D. C. Rounthwaite)
Trade Commissioner (Press Relations)
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