(HKK 1/30)
CONFIDENTIAL
23/2
23 February, 1970.
In
You will recall our correspondence about the succession to Cowperthwaite as Financial Secretary in Hong Kong, ending with my letter of 28 November to Figgures.
Since you are about to leave on a tour which takes in Hong Kong, you should know that Cowperthwaite will not now retire until after the Budget session in 1971 and that the Governor has recommended Haddon-Cave to succeed him. The news about the succession I pass on in strict confidence: although we have, with the blessing of our Ministers, told the Governor that his recommendation has been accepted, the formal decision will not be conveyed or publicly made known until August. Meanwhile it is important that Haddon-Cave's intended promotion should not be mentioned outside the narrow circle of the Governor, Norman-Walker and Cowperthwaite.
I mentioned in my letter to Figgures a suggestion by the Governor that Haddon-Cave might benefit from short attachments with the Treasury and the Bank of England to broaden his experience, particularly in the monetary field. The Governor has now followed this up, indicating that Haddon-Cave could be sapred for two months later this year (late September to late November) and has asked whether arrangements could be made for that period. We hope very much that you and the Bank will feel able to help in this way.
It occurs to me that your visit to Hong Kong offers an excellent opportunity to talk over with the Governor and Cowperthwaite the details of how Haddon-Gave could most usefully spend his time in the Treasury. If Haslam (to whom I am sending a copy of this letter) agrees, your discussions could perhaps also explore how the time available might be divided between the Treasury and the Bank.
G.R. Bell, Esq., CB,
Treasury
S.W.1.
(K. M. Wilford)
CONFIDENTIAL
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