CONFIDENT LAL
the possibility of clarifying the position. In particular I think it would be very useful if Far Eastern Department and the Hong Kong Department could re-define their responsibilities towards the Trade Commission although it would be clearly understood that the ̈ main body of the work of the Trade Commission would still continue to be with the Board of Trade. I would also like to suggest that the various Departments involved should now give serious thought to the future development of the status of the Trade Commissi on and should include in this examination the possibility of an extension of the Trade Commission's work in the political field.
9. In conclusion I can only apologise for intruding into a number of fields which are not, strictly speaking, the concern of this Department. But, as mentioned in paragraph 5, there is no 'parent'
department in the Office for the Trade Commission and faute de
mieux we have assumed this mantle.
CONFIDENT IAL
/A
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