ADMINISTRATION IN CONFIDENCE
would arrange for them each to receive a copy of the appro- priate (representational or non-representational) budget form. I am dropping a line in this sense to the Political Adviser.
6. As at the last inspection, the position of DS officers on secondment to the Hong Kong Government will not be within the Inspectors' mandate. However, if any of these staff have personal problems, the Inspectors will be ready to hear them and to report appropriately to the Department. This however will be done outside the terms of the Inspection proper.
7.
The Inspectors will be working to a tight schedule and it will help them greatly if you would advise all staff that they should be ready to make themselves available to the Inspectors in accordance with the latters' programme and, if they have to be absent from their post on official business during the Inspection, or will otherwise be taken up, to con- sult the Inspectors with sufficient notice. This applies to locally-engaged as well as UK-based staff, though it is more important for the latter.
8. There are two other points which I should mention. The first is openness. The Inspectors will discuss with you and appropriate members of your staff their thinking as they go along. They will hope to reach agreement. But where this is not possible it is important that they should have been able to take full account of your views in making their recommenda- tions.
I need
9. The second is the manpower and financial position. not rehearse the information you have had in various circulars and telegrams from the Chief Clerk, except to say that the situation is as tight or tighter than ever. The Inspectors are therefore working to strict guidelines. Except in the case of the ten largest Posts they do not have any specific target of savings to meet at each Post. But they must examine all the activities of Posts closely with a view to the most economic staffing arrangements possible, both UK-based and LE. ask you to help them as much as possible in this task.
I would
Cc:
Mr Clift HKGD Mr Chapman
ADMINISTRATION IN CONFIDENCE
vile on
RM Russell