CONFIDENTIAL
for enhancing the status of its Administrative Commissioner,
and I will of course air these in Hong Kong. But I would
like in any case to institute a radical review of the scope
and scale of Hong Kong representation in London. There
might well be advantage in the Hong Kong Government Office,
in addition to its present, quasi-consular activities,
taking over many of the functions now performed
considerable fee - by the Crown Agents and other bodies.
These might include not only recruitment and procurement,
but also some responsibility with regard to the huge
Hong Kong portfolio.
-
at a
If such an expansion took place a
director of the highest calibre would be pequired as well
as larger premises. In suggesting the foregoing I only
have in mind that the London Office should concentrate under
one roof the administrative and consular services that are
now split between a variety of bodies. In particular I do
not think that it should become a channel of communication
between the FCO and the Hong Kong Government. I think these
communications should continue to be direct, though the local
knowledge of the Hong Kong Government Office will always be
available to the FCO if required.
Budget procedures
24. So far Hong Kong has financed virtually all its capital
rapidly
works from revenue. But a point is ruefully being reached
at which decisions will have to be taken over the commitment
of far larger sums than have ever been involved before. These
include the Mass Transit scheme, a large desalinisation plant,
/the
12. CONFIDENTIAL