H.M. The Queen's decision to confer this
distinction might publicly be called in question. The programme was however so obviously biased that it must to some extent have defeated its own
object. We for our part can see no reason why it should in any way delay the Prime Minister's announcement, particularly as the. Governor has asked if the announcement can be made before
19 April when Mr. E. C. Eates, the Commissioner of Police, leaves Hong Kong on retirement.
Indeed,
the announcement, coming hard on the heels of the Granada programme, would serve as an effective expension of confide
Counterblast and we would hope that If the programme
is raised in the House, the Prime Minister might see his way to deal firmly with it along the lines
}
suggested in the notes for Supplementary Questions.
We shall need to telegraph the Governor informing him of the text of the Questions and Answers as finally approved by the Prime Minister, together with the date and approxima te time that the announcement will be made in the House, so that a simultaneous announcement can be arranged in
Hong Kong.
When making the necessary arrangements with Commander Maydon, you will doubtless bear in mind that although he has been informed that the Prime Minister will be happy to make an announcement in answer to an arranged oral Question by him, he has not at any time been aware of the proposal to ask
Princess Alexandra to accept the honorary appointment of "Commandant General" of the Hong Kong Police and Auxiliary Police Forces.
HOB
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