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Mr Cortazzi
CONFIDENTIAL(KK D10/4
STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
JUN 197 Roberts.
P.S. to Lord Story
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HONG KONG: SENIOR STAFF CHANGES
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1. You asked for advice on the Governor's proposals in his telegram no. 678 of 2 June for replacing Sir Donald Luddington when he takes over as ICAC Commissioner and for making the various other changes that will then become necessary. Lord Goronwy-Roberts has approved the appointment of Sir Donald to ICAC and a telegram to this effect was sent yesterday.
2.
Sir D Luddington's present post is Chairman of the Public Services Commission. This is an independent body, similar to the Civil Service Commission in this country, which advises the govern- ment on almost all appointments and promotions in the middle and upper grades of the Civil Service, and also reviews disciplinary cases. The post of Chairman is a full time appointment; the other members of the Commission are leading citizens appointed on a part-time voluntary basis.
3. The Governor would like Mr F K Li (Li Fook-kow), the present Secretary for Home Affairs, to take over the Chairmanship of the Public Services Commission. A biographical note on Mr Li is attached. It is clear from his annual reports that he is not at his best in jobs which require great organizing ability and is not the hardest or most energetic of workers. But he is a man of undoubted personal integrity and his knowledge and judgement of the local scene are widely respected. These attributes, together with his extensive experience within the Hong Kong Civil Service, should fit him well for the post of Chairman.
4. As the Governor points out, the fact that he is Chinese is an important bonus at a time when localization in the Civil Service is very much a live issue in Hong Kong. As a serving member of the Hong Kong Civil Service (and as a member of the Legislative Council) Mr Li is technically ineligible for appointment to the Public Services Commission. I assume the Governor is aware of this and would get round the problem by requiring him first to resign from the Civil Service.
CONFIDENTI AL STAFF IN CONFIDENCE