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CONFIDENTIAL : ADMINISTRATION
Hicle 414/1
KILLVIM I AUGSTRY ND. $1 15 DEC1981
CONFIDENCE
INDEX
17/12
BRIEF FOR THE INSPECTION OF THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION A68/12.
KONG BY HONG KONG AND GENERAL DEPARTMENT
1. TRED have supplied the main brief on the commercial aspects of the British Trade Commission. There are a number of other points of which the Inspectors should be aware:
a) The Rôle of the Senior Trade Commissioner (STC)
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In the absence of any Chancery or superintending Head of Mission, the STC has to be more than usually aware of the political factors which impinge on his major task of promoting British exports to Hong Kong. These include the China dimension and the unusual constitutional relationship between Whitehall and the Hong Kong Government. As the FCO's trade representative, he often has to undertake responsibility for visiting Ministers and MPs which would normally fall to a Head of Mission. It is not therefore as straight- forward a commercial job as it might appear. In my view and that of the present STC it needs always to be filled by a FCO Counsellor with considerable commercial experience and political feel. Know- ledge of China is helpful but not essential. The incumbent must have the personality to move easily in senior political, commercial and industrial circles in a fairly hectic environment which severely limits his private life.
b) Information
The British Trade Commission are primarily concerned with commercial information work. The Hong Kong Government Information Services' main interest is promoting Hong Kong's image. At present therefore the projection of Britain as defined in the appropriate self-inspection questionnaire rather goes by default. We have been discussing with the Hong Kong Government ways of filling this gap. They are likely to create at least part of a principal-equivalent post to help on this work. But it would be helpful if the Inspectors examined the situation. It is important that the UK's point of view be put across locally, particularly on issues where UK and Hong Kong wishes and interests may conflict, without prejudicing Hong Kong's own position.
c) Length of Tour
The Senior Trade Commissioner has pointed out that a 2-year qualifying period for paid leave travel is out of step with both the Hong Kong Government (including seconded DS officers) and local commercial practice. Until 1973, Hong Kong as a tropical posting was regarded as unhealthy for service. Although medical care has obviously improved, the climate remains, only partially ameliorated by air-conditioning. To this must be added the pressures of an over- crowded urban life. For senior officers the social round is unreasonably exacting, for other staff the cost of clubs and other outlets is prohibitive. I would support the STC's view that the qualifying period should be reduced.
/d)
CONFIDENTIAL : ADMINISTRATION IN CONFIDENCE