Origin. at: HKA 431/7
This Copy for:
Information only / Action on
Para(s)
STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
Mr Morrice
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3/12
Miss Brett Rooks 3112
Reference
HNA 430/393/6.
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VISIT TO HONG KONG STAFFING QUESTIONS
1.
I covered the following points during a discussion with Mr Rowlands, Secretary for the Civil Service, on 21 November.
Education Branch
2.
Mr Rowlands confirmed that there was no intention of making Mr Haye Secretary for Education. There were a number of people coming on in the Administrative Branch who might be candidates (Mr So, Mr Yaxley and Mr Todd were mentioned; and Mr Turner from the New Hebrides might turn out to be good material too). As far as professional expertise was concerned, there were a number of knowledgeable people in the Education Department. He cited Mr Y T Li, who had just finished a secondment to the Asian Development Bank. addition, a number of Administrative Officers had educational experience.
3.
In
I said that it appeared to us that the general expansion of education was likely to throw up a demand for more expertise in the Education branch. Mr Topley's review of higher education could add to this. We thought it would be useful if the Education Officer at the ODA were consulted. There might be a case for the importation of some talent from the UK. Mr Rowlands accepted that this would be reasonable but asked that the outcome of the Topley review be awaited so that the demand could be assessed more precisely. This seems reasonable. Bring up June 1981.
Trade, Industry and Customs Department
4.
Mr Rowlands explained that his Branch had very little control over postings within the Trade Department, about which I had written to him. I should discuss the matter with Mr Dorward. However, he said that he was interested in bringing Trade Department staffing more under his control, believed that there was a need for reinforcement of numbers and quality in the Trade Department and would be discussing our letter further.
Use of CSSB for Hong Kong Recruitment
5.
Mr Rowlands said that they had decided to send
Mr Hamish Macleod to London in February. He would partly be conducting selection boards in London, but he would also visit Basingstoke to pursue the question of CSSB recruitment for Hong Kong. He was writing to Mr Morgan in the Civil Service Commission about this. Mr Macleod would discuss various options and make recommendations as quickly as possible. Mr Rowlands was pretty sure that he would recommend the use of CSSB. On timing, the aim would be to start the system with the recruitment period beginning in the autumn of 1981 (for appointment in 1982). However, they realise that time was tight and that decisions were needed quickly, for instance on the printing of forms.
CODE 18-77
STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
/6.