TNAG-0137-FCO40-173-Supply-of-political-and-economic-information-to-Hong-Kong-to-1969 — Page 65

Reference..

with 2

Mr. Stewart

Your note below.

I have spoken to Russell (Personnel Department, Operations), who felt it was a matter for Personnel, General and Training Department. I also spoke to Donald of the latter Department, who felt that this was a matter for Operations. However, Donald did give me his "off the cuff" reactions to Hong Kong's proposal.

2.

He could see no objection to Hong Kong receiving this type of information in principle, although he did speculate idly on the wisdom of giving economic information to a competitor (!); he pointed out that there may well be objections from the posts concerned about the extra work involved, and he drew attention to the forthcoming Report of the Duncan Committee. This Report is due out in the summer and may well result in structural and organisational changes overseas, including a reduction in some of the functions performed by posts. In view of this possibility, Donald felt that if we agreed to Hong Kong's request before the Committee reports, we should make it subject to review after that Report.

3.

Russell suggested that a good starting point for this exercise might be with Mr. F. Gallagher, the Under-Secretary responsible for the Commodities, Oil and Aviation Departments. Perhaps also, if that is the most appropriate level at which to begin this exercise, the Under Secretary responsible for Export Promotion, FPAD, and Trade Policy, Mr. W. I. Combs, should be involved as well.

12 March, 1969

R. Huray

1.R.

(I. R. Murray)

Hong Kong Department

Mi Mickalni

opinion few pp

I should be gratiful for you on the matter wand been the

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Mini Fila. It darms the substance of the question

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Melitewart

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13/3