On our general work on policy questions I think it would be best
to list the people who have been pretty regularly my sources of
information
(a) Under Secretaries of State C.R.O. (Machtig and Carter), Deputy
Asst. Under Secretaries of State, C.R.O. (Stephenson, Dixon,
Syers), Assistant Under Secretaries of State Foreign Office
(various).

(b) Heads of Departments and 'desk men' C.R.O., F.O., and Colonial
Office.

(c) Principal Private Secretaries to Ministers, F.O., and C.R.O.

(d) Assistant Secretaries Cabinet Office.

(e) A few members of Parliament.

(f) Chatham House, University teachers, Diplomatic correspondents,
(e.g. Times, Herald, B.B.C., Economist).

(b) are of course my most regular contacts but (c) are useful, in
the Foreign Office particularly for information, and the C.R.O.

particularly for facilitating actions. I have frequently gone to
(a) and never hesitate to do so.

The distinction between our relations with the C.R.O. and F.O. is
important and significant. Generally when we are taking an active
part (e.g. Antarctic, C.F.M., Trusteeship, Italian Colonies),
though taking care to know the F.O. men and keeping in touch with
them informally, I take my main action through the C.R.O. But if I
want straight information then the F.O. is much more useful. In a
contentious or doubtful matter I never believe in reporting
anything as fact unless I have it confirmed by two sources.