30/9
(116
Colonial Office,
The Church House,
Great Smith Street,
London, S.W.1.
30th September, 1949.
94001/28
TOP SECRET
You no doubt noticed in Ambassador Nanking's telegram No. 1333 to the Foreign Office of the 25th August the suggestion that something might be done to restrict the publicity given to warlike preparations in Hong Kong and to the number and variety of reinforcements. As you know the same point was raised with the Minister of Defence during his visit to Hong Kong and in your telegram No. 568 of the 10th June you reported his views on the problem.
As a result of the Ambassador's telegram, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs has written to the Minis ter of Defence expressing the view, with which our Secretary of State has associated himself, that as far as possible a damper should now be put on publicity about Hong Kong's defence measures and suggesting that suitable instructions might be given to Service authorities. The Minister of Defence has agreed to this suggestion and at the same time the Foreign Office are doing what they can to influence the press, the newss agencies and the B.B.C.
The purpose of this letter is to let you know what has been agreed by Ministers here and
Sir A. Grantham, K.C.M.G.
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