importance.
The increased funds we have received to develop still further our activities in Hong Kong will only enable us to do so if our staff are secure in the knowledge that right of abode will be available to them.
Hong Kong Department, of course, already knows our position in some detail. Given the importance that we all attach to the coming years in Hong Kong, I would hope that you will be able to agree arrangements which will enable our local staff to ensure that the Council can continue to play a substantial role in our links with Hong Kong. Without reassurance my concern is that they will leave us to find their salvation elsewhere.
Dien