CONFIDENTIAL
Flag A 19
Mr Murray
HKK 011/2
Rise!
...
AMO. 51
10 JUL 1978
DESK OFFICER INDOX
RES
PA
lAction
HONG KONG OFFICIAL APPOINTMENT TO THE EXERCANGEL
1. The Governor of Hong Kong has proposed that Mr Akers-Jones, the Secretary for the New Territories, should be nominated to
fill the vacancy on the Executive Council which will be created when Mr Lightbody resigns from the Civil Service to take over as Chairman of the Public Service Commission. (Hong Kong telno 803).
2. This post is the only nominated (as opposed to ex officio)
official seat in ExCo, and the custom in the past has been to award it to the senior by age - official member of LegCo who was not already an ex officio member of ExCo. On this basis the appointment might have gone to Mr Jordan, the Director of Trade, Industry and Customs, or to Mr Davies, the Secretary for Security,
both of whom are older than Mr Akers-Jones and senior to him in
the local hierarchy. But Mr Akers-Jones seems to me a sound choice,
for the reasons given by the Governor, and I do not think we need question it. It is not for us to insist on the principle of Buggins turn.
3. I therefore recommend that you approve this proposal and submit a draft telegram accordingly. I see no need to consult
Ministers.
5 July 1978
1
"gree:
Tel sent.
sent.
CONFIDENTIAL
R JT McLaren
Hong Kong and General Department
good appointment.
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717
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