COPY
22287.
PERSONAL.
Aft on Proms, file of C.G. 1. Follow
Colonial office,
6214A.
Sanctuary Buildings,
Great Smith Street,
S.W.1.
5th August, 1949.
This is in reply to your personal letter
of the 7th June to Sidebotham. I must begin by apologising for the delay. The Office has as you doubtless know been much pressed recently on the Hong Kong side with a heavy volume of work, the usual difficulties in getting extra staff, summer leave and illness.
We are very glad to have your commendatory views of Follows, and these have been noted on his papers.
As regards the suggestion that it was thought here that the policy of the Hong Kong Government is largely dictated by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank I hope you do not think for a moment that that view is, or has been, held here. Portsmore was very much in error if he thought that that was the case and it is a great pity that he should have conveyed any such wrong idea to you.
J. B. Williams.
SIR ALEXANDER GRANTHAM, K.C.M.G.