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on th. Alexander's report/
Mr. Blackburne.
Black
1.
I send herewith two spare copies of an advance copy of a report by the Minister of Defence on his visit to Hong Kong. Please see paragraphs 21, 22 and 25 (g) of the Report. The Report itself is being registered on a Geographical file 54470/1/49 and the various points for action are being followed up on relevant files. You may like to have these papers registered in Information Department so far as action on the paragraphs noted above is concerned.
2. Mr. W. S. Morgan recently had some discussion with the Foreign Office Information Research Department and with Mr. Paskin and myself about the need (or the possibility) of an anti-Communist Information drive in Hong Kong and Mr. Morgan was going to pursue consideration of this matter on his papers, in particular relation to the newly established Regional Information office in Singapore. This Office will presumably be the organisation ultimately responsible for implementing any action that may be considered necessary on Mr. Alexander's recommendations and indeed its establishment is perhaps the main answer to these recommendations.
3. There recommendations will have to be further considered. Meanwhile, after discussing with Mr. W. S. Morgan, I am including in a general brief for the Secretary of State/a note on these particular paragraphs that the Foreign Office, in consultation with the Colonial Office, have recently established the Regional Information office in Singapore attached to Mr. Malcolm MacDonald and that it will be the function of this organisation to develop British propaganda in the Far East.
4. Perhaps you will consider whether there is anything that can be usefully said to the Governor about Mr. Alexander's comments in paragraph 22 on Public Relations in the Colony.
1
21.6.49.
Mr. Wallace
As regards Para. 22 of the report by the Minister of Defence, I agree with his views that the improvement of the public relations organisation in Hong Kong is a matter for the Governor. I do not think that we can say more to the Governor than that we assume that he will consider what improvements, if any, are necessary.
2.
The only information which I have about the unsuitability
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