Alan Paul Esq Head of HKD
FCO
122
BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION
HONG KONG.
25 January 1991
040/4
HKD 340
Spoke to HO.
Dea Alen
BRITISH PASSPORT SCHEME
1. I have just received a copy of the enclosed letter from the Private Secretary to Mr Lloyd at the Home Office to the British Chamber of Commerce here. This was sent to me by the Chamber as part of a routine circulation to all members of its Management Committee.
2. When Ministers, or their private offices, write to people or organisations here on subjects in which we have been involved, it would be very helpful if we could be kept informed through our own channels, preferably by telegram giving us the text of the letter. In this instance, we have been reporting to you, and thence to the Home Office, by telegram, the Chamber's intention to send such letters and warnings of when they are to be published. I am also involved of course in discussions within the Chamber about the sending of such letters, and have been able to steer them in what I hope have been constructive directions, or at least less critical than they might have been. It also lessens my own credibility vis a vis the Chamber if they see that I only know what our Ministers are saying through them.
3. I fully appreciate of course that the fault does not lie with you,
your department, nor even the FCO. But if you can drop a word it might help.
your ever
Pelen
P W Heap
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