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In spite of continuing enthusiasm for Hong Kong I am still a little uncertain about the wisdom of the extension but this may be due to a fairly rough peri od without leave and the prospect of having to ride through a further, if much milder, recession. However one is the worst conceivable judge of one's own affairs and I accept the Secretary of State's verdict and that of my friends here. So the situation is: if you are prepared to accept whatever absence is necessary for the purpose of my hip operation, and if you have not changed your mind about the desirability of the extension, I am available. If you decide to stick with it, I suggest you proceed to as early an announcement as possible, and well in advance of my departure for the States and Canada on 30 September. Preferably the announcement should be made by mid-September.
I enclose a personal letter to the Secretary of State which I would be glad if you would pass on when he returns from leave.
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A