3
Our reference: 6/6/5
Your reference:
This in Midiendom, We are
nowhere nea
the publicity
drage.
CONFIDENTIAL
BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION IN HONG KONG
7th Floor, Shell House, Queen's Road, Central, HONG KONG Mail Address: P.O. Box No. 528, Hong Kong Cable Address: "Uktrade Hongkong" Telephone: 230176
п
Th Gaming
12 September, 1970.
He han chorum a very
6
Copied & HKKIC/G
Dear Michael
Poor Marple
Ollurlicha hu
povir.
It was very nice to meet you in Hong Kong and file shes
exchange ideas about the work here. I hope we may able to continue this exchange by correspondence when nun U-lees ben he needs
the need arises.
En
My predecessor and yours tried to keep up a regular in mind exchange of, I believe, fortnightly news letters but inevitably this soon languished for lack of material. However, I shall always be interested in any information about subjects which concern Hong Kong and the U.K. and in particular, of course, anything which is likely to cause friction between the two.
6/2285
акк зара
29/
An example of the latter is the new Hong Kong defence costs agreement which I understand from the Commander British
I understand (in Forces is at present being negotiated. strict confidence, of course) that a letter on the subject went from the F.C.O. to the Hong Kong Government in October last year and that a reply containing a proposal for an increased Hong Kong contribution was sent back to the F.C.0. Frankly, I am rather surprised and indeed disturbed that we have not been kept in the picture by London on this question. If, as is very likely, this subject is given a hostile reception by Hong Kong when the results of the negotiations are made known or indeed, as is very possible, if the news or press speculation breaks before official publication we shall be in considerable difficulty to combat such criticism.
I have, as you know, a senior Information Officer on
One of his directives is "discreetly to promote my staff. an understanding of Britain's general, domestic and overseas policies" but he can hardly do his job properly if he is not provided with the necessary material, including background information, not only when an event takes place but some time before it takes place.
I am sorry to have to moan to you so soon after your
E.0.Laird, Esq.,
Hong Kong Department,
Foreign & Commonwealth Office,
/appointment to
London, S.W.1.
CONFIDENTIAL
13
Every effort is made to ensure that the information given herein is accurate, but no legal responsibility is accepted for any errors or omis- sions in that information and no responsibility is accepted in regard to the standing of any firms, companies, or individuals mentioned.