3
CONFIDENTIAL
HKK1/19
Dear Lestie
RaR
าย
GOVERNMENT HOUSE
HONG KONG
14
18-
Mr Gamghain (for che
un
to reply) (og 15
te copy to Mr Welford
12th August 1970
We have received a saving despatch No. 284, dated 5th August 1970, suggesting that it should shortly be announced that Haddon-Cave is to succeed John Cowperthwaite as Financial Secretary in April 1971.
It is, as the saving despatch says, understood and agreed that Haddon-Cave is in line to succeed, and I appreciate that the proposal for a public announcement probably follows upon my letter to you dated 27th January, 1970, and your own reply No. HK 1/30 of 18th February. However, I am not now certain there is any advantage to be gained by making an announcement much before, say, the end of the year;
and I apologise for changing my mind
about it.
I am not suggesting or intending that the matter should be reconsidered, but the situation has changed in at least one respect, namely that this change is now to take place before the end of my own final term of office as Governor, and I see no harm in regarding the attachments in October and November to F.C.O., Bank of England, etc., as forming part of the process of finally assuring ourselves that Haddon- Cave is in every way thoroughly fitted for the higher responsibility.
Also it might be helpful to
Sir Leslie Monson, KCMG, CB, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, London, S.W.1.
CONFIDENTIAL