HW B.22/6
6th February, 1967.
22
As we know from recent experience, the visit of a C.0. Minister to Hong Kong is usually regarded by quite a number of local residents as providing an opportunity to put their pet projects, grievances etc., direct to the Minister. They set these out in letters or write asking for interviews. Quite a large proportion of these letters are from cranks.
For lack of funds, no member of the Hong Kong Department will be accompanying the Secretary of State in March and the Frivate Secretary will not be able to turn to anyone in the C.0. party with a detailed knowledge of Hong Kong affairs. I have therefore suggested to him that all such correspondence from the public should be turned over to you on the basis that you will cause a simple acknowledgment of each letter to be sent on the S.of S's behalf and will thereafter forward all the correspondence to London with your recommendations as to the replies. It is, of course, the usual practice in dependent territories (enshrined in former Colonial Office, Codes of Frocedure) to seek the Governor's recommendations as to reply and, where the writer is resident in the territory, to send the reply through the Governor. We propose to continue this.
Where interviews are requested I am suggesting that the Private Secretary should consult the Governor or yourself and in these cases should reply direct. I cannot see that the programme allows any time for inter- views and I would hope that so far as officials are concerned you could discourage them. The Staff Associations in particular had ample facilities to talk direct to Ministers last year when they saw Mrs. White and Mr,Lee. and I see no good reason why they should be given any of the S. of S's very limited time on this occasion.
I regret that there has not been time to consult you about these arrangements which I have discussed and agreed with Forster (who departs on 10th February). However I do not think they will cause you any difficulty. Indeed, if my hunch is right, I think you will find them quite acceptable.
There will be a Fersonal Assistant in the party. (I understand this has been mentioned in telegrams which are not immediately to hand.) I imagine from past experience that there will be no difficulty in finding her a place to work in G.H. in the typist's room next to the A.D.C's office?
sqd.
(W.S.Carter)
A
M.D.I. Gess Esq., C.N.G.,
Colonial Secretariat,
HỒNG KONG.
PA
DAR
b
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