ADMINISTRATION IN CONFIDENCE
2
that it may be some time before a decision can be taken to shift responsibility for Gibraltar into SED and thus clear the way for a merger of the rest of G&GD with HKD. Nevertheless, it might be a mistake for HKD to cease to be a joint FCO/ODM department if the work of the General Section etc of G&GD is assisted by that department's current designation as a joint department.
In short, would it make any difference to the performance of the General Section's functions if, on eventual merger with HKD, it were not to form part of a joint department?
6.
It occurs to me also that if HKD were to cease to be a joint department, there might be implications for any wider existing FCO/ODM understanding on the handling and staffing of ODM-type work within the FCO and, more particularly, the Dependent Territories Division. I would hope that this would not be so since HKD lacks what I believe are the basic characteristics of a joint department, ie some ODM staff and responsibility for a proper aid programme for the dependent territories for which it is responsible.
7. I should appreciate your views on this matter. If you see no objection to HKD's ceasing to be a joint department,
Mr Stewart has it in mind to consider a submission to Mr Stanley/ Mr Larmour, Mr Williams (ODM) and the Chief Clerk accordingly.
30 July 1976
D.F. Milli
D F Milton
Hong Kong Department K 247
233 4381
1. The opening paragraph of a paper attached to Sir David Scott's minute of 28 July 1971 to the then PUS on the proposal to set up Joint departments stated:
2.
"The FCO and the ODA have for some time jointly been considering the arrangements for handling work on the dependent territories, in the light in particular of the merger of the two offices and of the British Government's direct responsibility for both the administration and the economic development of these countries. (Hong Kong has been excluded from this exercise since it receives virtually no aid and its affairs are handled separately from those of the other dependencies within the FCO.)"
Subsequently the following departments became Joint:
/Dependent Territories
ADMINISTRATION IN CONFIDENCE