CONFIDENTIAL
FAR EAST
Mr. Crowson said that in China there was of course nothing to cut. In Japan there was no scope for either cuts or expansions. But in South Korea there might be some prospects and this had been considered by the new Ambassador to Seoul. We would like to see more, perhaps a British Council presence. This would be justified because with the growth in the Korean GNP had come a vast increase in literacy there. One minor way of getting into Korea was on inward and outward visits which would do considerable good. Mr. Reddaway agreed, and it was noted for the record that consideration should be given to a British Council presence.
HONG KONG
Mr. Gaminara said there was little to comment upon in the circulated documents. The grading of the Trade Commissioner
The Committee post was dependent on the next inspection.
discussed the role of the former Regional Information Officer there, and the question of whether when the Hong Kong harbour tunnel is completed it would be possible to combine the Island and mainland offices as one. After discussion it was agreed that the new Governor would have these thoughts in mind when he had fully settled in.
CONFIDENTIAL