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Mr.
ilford
STAFF:
IN CONFIDENCE
10
I suspect that such difficulties of "communication" as may exist between the FCO and the Hong Kong Government are of a character that cannot be eradicated by the exchange of a few administrative officers. They result from a major process of historical change. After all, the communication that existed in the days of the Colonial Office did not basically rest on any such exchange or on the fact that the Head of their Hong Kong Department had served in Hong Kong. Equally it is true that our 5A problem is very acute indeed and that there are always scores of compelling cases for secondment out.
2.
Nevertheless, given the importance of Hong Kong and present attitudes there, it seems wrong to return a totally negative answer. I have discussed the problem with Mr. McLaren, who knows the Hong Kong scene well, and have found his comments (see his minute below) very cogent. I agree with his revised paragraph 5 but you may like to ask Hong Kong Department to look at the draft again generally in the light of his comments.
3
It would of
cause be a key element in we made that the exchanges should be.
avagants head-for-head.
Sir L. Marcon
(D. L. Cole)
31 March, 1970.
Mi Mi Laven's a: Colés minutes
M:
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feel
STAFF: IN CONFIDENCE mistake to divorce
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