F
10 December, 1968
Many thanks for your letter of 26 November reporting that communications for senior officers of the Hong Kong Government have been addressed to you for onward transmission.
In the case of the despatch for Michael Gass it would seem, I am afraid, that the slip was made in the Private Office. I have written a letter of apology to Michael.
I fully appreciate the embarrassment which this sort of thing can cause you and am looking into the question of how we can best avoid similar mistakes being made. It is really a question of educating staff at all levels in the handling of the affairs of dependent territories. The recent Circular (H.207/68) headed "Hong Kong Addresses" may help a little but obviously it does not go far enough, and I am considering the issue of a much more comprehensive circular.
To turn to another matter. Personnel Department has suggested that Hong Kong Department here should take on the role of "parent" department to your office. I have, of course, agreed and, when one or two loose ends have been tied up, I will be writing to you about this. As one of my New Year Resolutions I will be turning my mind to initiating some regular reporting system (1.e. a weekly or fortnightly letter) under which we will keep you posted of developments in the affairs handled by this Department which are likely to be of particular interest and value to you in your work. It may be that you will wish to match this by regular or occasional reports from Hong Kong. Perhaps you could be giving some thought to this while you await my further letter.
(W. S. Carter)
M. P. V. Hannam, Esq.,
British Trade Commission in Hong Kong, P.0. Box No. 528,
Hong Kong,
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