11
Reference.
with (90
Mr Laird
1.
I have had these papers removed to this temporary jacket from the main defence contribution file where they have become somewhat overlaid.
2.
Miss Satterly of Guidance and Information Policy Department telephoned a few days ago to say that her Head of Department, Mr Brinson, had asked to see the papers leading up to the letter at (90). Mr Blackwell had sent a copy of (90) to Mr Brinson.
3. The papers on this folder all relate to Mr Blackwell's request for information in connection with the current defence contribution negotiations. He could not have picked a worse (from his point of view) example upon which to base a complaint. The last thing we want at this particular juncture in the negotiations is for a third party to sail in and take a hand. Indeed, this particular subject is one in which, par excellence, Mr Blackwell should play no part at all, at any rate until after everything has been signed, sealed and delivered as between the Hong Kong Government and HMG.
4.
The circumstances in which the British Trade Commission in Hong Kong came to have a home-based infor- mation officer are set out in 2/E and enclosure, 13 14, 16) and 18 on attached file HWB 13/9. The subject was, however, dealt with on the then Joint Information Administration Department files.
04
5. The idea of extending the functions of the British Trade Commission by an enlargement of its information section to carry out activities ranging beyond the purely commercial sphere was first mentioned by Mr Blackwell's predecessor, Mr Hannam, in December 1966. (See paragraph 3 of enclosure to on attached file). This idea was somewhat gingerly followed up and eventually it was agreed with the Governor that a United Kingdom based information officer should be appointed to the British Trade Commiss- ion with very carefully phrased terms of reference, the key passages of which, so far as this particular issue is concerned, read as follows:
6.
11
(iii). Discreetly to promote an understanding of Britain's general, domestic and overseas policies".
"(iv). To maintain close consultation with the Hong Kong Government at all times".
I have always been very doubtful about this extension of the activities of the British Trade Commission in Hong Kong. There is little doubt that relations between the present senior British Trade Commissioner and the Hong Kong Government could hardly be worse than they are at present. This is, I think, partly due to the attitude of the Hong Kong Government and partly due to Mr Blackwell himself. I see no prospect of the situation improving, at any rate so long as Mr Blackwell is there, and in any event I think it a mistake to permit the British Trade Commission to extend its functions beyond the purely commercial sphere. I should have thought that there was plenty of work in that particular field to keep the
-1-