TNAG-0137-FCO40-173-Supply-of-political-and-economic-information-to-Hong-Kong-to-1969 — Page 31

enci

Flag A

'IDERATAL

distributions in 1966. More positive

selection from a wider range of

distributions, is proposed, subject to

clearance in each case by the department

concerned with the subject.

(Paragraphs

12-16 of the attached Note).

Future Arrangerents: "New" Commonwealth

•

The developing countries of the Commonwealth,

particularly those without extensive diplomatic

representation overseas, have no less need than

formerly for background material on world affairs.

The Commonwealth Secretariat has provided another

source of information, and produces, with significant

help from the F.C.0., occasional papers on particular-

international issues as well as background papers on

individual Commonwealth countries. The Secretariat does

not, however, have the staff or resources to provide

anything like a comprehensive service, and its papers,

although often useful to clarify issues, are naturally

not a suitable vehicle for the propagation of

specifically British views. The Secretariat's functions

in this direction need not necessarily inhibit the

continued distribution of British material.

11. Long practice, and the value which many posts

attach to the distribution of "A" print might not

perhaps alone justify the continued distribution of

British material. On the other hand, to bring it to

an end now might be interpreted as a loss of interest

/by the

CONFIDENTIAL

•