XV.
XVI.
-16-
Department in London and the Regional Information Office in Singapore. There were two particular problems firstly that London was unable to assess local political opinion largely owing to a lack of target irtelligence. Secondly, sociological intelligence from China was of paramount importance and was at present inadequate. This was a problem not merely for South-East Asia but also as the basis of serious studies of the implications of, for example, Chinese Policy for issue to Governments or interested persons generally. At the present time we depended too much on deductions from Chinese or Russian propaganda statements. The Regional Information Office would have to take an increasing respon- sibility for handling this material, and he raised the question of the possible attachment to the R.I.0. of a special Officer or officers for the work. The Chairman said that he would like to see a centralised Bureau established for assembling, sorting and collating information from China, with a staff experienced in Chinese and Soviet Russian affairs.
Review of British Council developments in the area.
840
Mr. Malcolm said that the British Council was trying to maintain and expand its work in the area, but future developments were dependent on their budget, upon which the Treasury's current pressure was severe, There was general agreement that the work being done was useful and that expansion would be valuable.
Closing Discussion.
85.
The Chairman pointed out that the Conference had been concerning itself with conditions which we tended to regard as normal but with the shadow of something very much worse which might or might not develop on the horizon. The question of what action should be taken against the eventuality of a major war breaking out was not one which we could carry much further at this meeting.
86.
In the Chairman's concluding remarks he emphasised the great vluae of such a meeting and said that he would report to the Bukit Serene Conference on the main points which had emerged and ask for backing for the further facilities which were required. The represen- tatives need have no doubt about the great importance attached to their work, for which a maximum effort was required, and he conveyed the thanks of the Commissioner General to all the Delegates for their help and contributions to the discussions during what he hoped all were agreed had been a valuable meeting.