TNAG-0466-FCO40-531-Hong-Kong-s-interests-in-EEC-capitals-1974 — Page 50

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to the T.D.C., Frankfort office.

97. The appointment in Paris depends on the acceptance of my view that we should take early active steps to promote our image in France. On the assumption that this will be accepted I have included Marcelle Davies (whom I have proposed for the post) in the suggested list of visitors to Hong Kong during 1975/76 which is at Appendix II. A visit to Hong Kong by Mr. John Ling, Counsellor for Information at the British Embassy in Paris would be most advantageous about the same time.

98. Similarly, whether we should step up our promotion work in Italy is subject to further review next year but I have included First Secretary (Information), British Embassy, Rome, Sir Joseph Cheyne, on the visitors list because, if he can be spared, his considerable experience of the Italian press scene would be of great help to us during such further discussions.

99. If some or all of these appointments are made I believe that a senior representative of government will be required in Europe, probably based on London, to work through these four locally appointed information officers as Government's chief spokesman in Europe. However, a final decision on whether such a post should be per- manently established, its grading and its precise location should await the completion of the second part of this survey dealing with Britain and subsequently with other overseas areas.

100. I therefore recommend that the second part of this overseas survey, and possibly the third part, should be initiated at an early date. If it is decided to follow the recommendations to establish government information offices at selected centres in Europe, and this plan is put into effect by the beginning of the next financial year, then there may be some advantage in posting an officer temporarily to London both to carry out the remaining surveys and to be responsible for the setting up of these new posts and for the implementation of the first stages of the co-ordination work, pending a final decision whether such a post is permanently needed.

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