CONFIDENTIAL
Promotions
7.
Again during a visit by Mr. Moreton (in June) the Colonial
Secretary raised the question of the level at which promotions should be referred to the Secretary of State for approval. Since 1963 the level above which it has been necessary to refer has
been the end of the normal time scale. Hong Kong's suggestion
is that in future only promotions to the level of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B2 (7200 a month), and above, should be
referred.
8.
Hong Kong's suggestion is being considered in ODM and in
this Office. We are in doubt. AO Staff Grade C, the next grade down, contains a number of relatively important posts, but we also await Hong Kong's suggestion how to deal with the problem
that overseas officers, not recruited through the auspices of ODM, cannot become members of HMOCS until such time as they are promoted with the Secretary of State's approval. If this matter is raised it would be as well to concentrate on the second point to explain the delay in taking a decision. We have not yet made
up our minds on this issue.
Hong Kong Department October, 1969.
CONFIDENTIAL