GPS 275
F" HONG KONG 210953Z
STAFF-IN-CONFIDENCE
CONFIDENTIAL
CYPHER/CAT A
NFIDENTIAL
·
TO ROUTINE F.C.O TELNO.765 OF 21 JUNE 78.
HKA 4439/395/7
Y NO. 51
RECEIVED IN T
27 JUN 1973
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
ND
PA
REGIST
Action To e
Deal Pe
YOUR TELNO.441 CHAIRMANSHIP OF CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
1. THE APPOINTMENT OF LUDDINGTON TO SUCCEED CATER AS COMMISSIONER
AGAINST CORRUPTION LEAVES VACANT THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE CIVIL
SERVICE COMMISSION.
2. I HAD WISHED TO APPOINT THE CURRENT SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS,
F.K. LI, BOTH BECAUSE OF HIS QUALIFICATIONS AND BECAUSE THE APPOINTMENT OF A LOCAL OFFICER WOULD HAVE BEEN WELL RECEIVED IN
THE PUBLIC SERVICE. FOR THIS TO BE POSSIBLE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NECESSARY TO FIND A SUITABLE REPLACEMENT AS SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, WHICH IS A MOST IMPORTANT POST. MY INTENTION HAD BEEN TO COMBINE THIS POST WITH THAT OF THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW
TERRITORIES WITH MR AKERS-JONES AS THE INCUMBENT.
#
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3. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS REFORM WITH SIR Y.K. KAN ALSO ROBERTS
AND CATER, AND WE ARE ALL AGREED THAT WHILE IT IS HIGHLY DESIRABLE
IT WILL TAKE CAREFUL PREPARATION AND SHOULD NOT BE JEOPARDISED BY
AN OVER HASTY MOVE, BUT WE THINK IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHIN A
YEAR OR EIGHTEEN MONTHS. DURING THIS TIME LI MUST REMAIN IN HIS
PRESENT POST.
4. I HAVE THEREFORE SOUNDED LIGHTBODY, CURRENTLY SECRETARY FOR
ADMINISTRATION, WHO HAS AGREED TO SUCCEED SIR DONALD. HE WILL DO THIS ADMIRABLY, AND SINCE HE IS DUE TO RETIRE IN 1980, IT SHOULD STILL BE POSSIBLE FOR LI TO SUCCEED HIM. MOREOVER, WITH A LITTLE JUGGLING, IT SHOULD ALSO BE POSSIBLE TO PROCEED WITH THE COMBINATION OF SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES AND HOME AFFAIRS WTHIN A YEAR OR EIGHTEEN MONTHS.
M.I.F.T.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
HK & GD (6) NEWS D
;}
Original at: HKKO10/4.
This Copy for:
Information only / Action on Rara(s)
PS/LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS
MR CORTAZZI
LABT
RO
NEL.
REF.
20
COPIES TO MR RUSHFORD
LEGAL ADVISER
MR MURRAY
•
CONFIDENTIAL