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British Trade Commission in Hong Kong
9th Floor Gammon House 12 Harcourt Road Hong Kong
Mail Address PO Box No 528 Hong Kong
Telex HX 73031 Cable Address Uktrade Hong Kong Telephone 5-230176
J. Thompson, Esq.,
Hong Kong & General Department,
King Charles Street F.C.O.
HKK 414
414/1
-7 FEB 1979
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
Your reference
Our reference
Date
23 January, 1979.
I
GA
Jen
Tolim.
INDEX
Actic
Mrhing.
J3011
DIRECTIVE FOR THE SENIOR TRADE COMMISSIONER, HONG KONG.
Thank you for your letter of 14 December reporting that the draft outlining the precise responsibilities of this post has met with general acceptance in London.
2.
The two points which you have raised are indeed quite critical and I agree that we should try to refine the guidance given. I naturally accept that I must provide advice and assistance to British ministers, MPs etc., who visit Hong Kong. But when a British minister comes to Hong Kong I am not entirely clear as to the extent of my organisational and administrative duties given the lack of a precise delineation of responsibility between the Trade Commission and departments of the Hong Kong Government. It has always seemed to me odd to find that it is assumed both here and in London that the Trade Commission should have primary responsibility for visits by the Secretaries of State and Trade or for Industry while other ministers (even though their interests often include important commercial opportunities e.g. health, transport etc.) are handled from the outset by the Hong Kong Government. I would hope that it could be established that the Hong Kong Government is administratively (and thus financially) responsible for visiting British ministers and their entourage unless following, consultation in London between the FCO and the Hong Kong Government Office, I am directed to assume the co-ordinating role. Once ultimate responsibility for the visitor is established, there should never be any difficulty about co-ordination and liaison at this end as I can rely on the full co-operation and assistance from Hong Kong Government officials. I suggest, therefore, that my instructions should make it clear that I am not directly responsible for any ministerial visits to Hong Kong unless instructed to the contrary.
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