RESTRICTED
Office for an appropriate distribution. I would be grateful if FCO departments and other Whitehall departments who wish to originate "Personal for Governor" telegrams, could consult Hong Kong Department before doing so. Equally, if there are telegrams which need to be drawn to the personal attention of the Governor, Hong Kong Department should please be consulted. Previous Governors have been familiar with the intricacies of the FCO telegram traffic. Mr Patten will have his own arrangements for dealing with the flow of telegrams. We here can help to ensure that a telegram gets the right level of attention in Hong Kong.
It is also worth bearing in mind that telegrams addressed to Hong Kong are to a Government, not to a British mission. Lord Wilson was amused to get telegrams asking him to inform or consult the Government to which he was accredited. But these did not reflect well on the drafters of the telegram in question.
bett
PF Ricketts
NIKACG
RESTRICTED
Page 30Page 31