Mr Ricketts
CONFIDENTIAL
Reference.
HKB 011/12
14110
45th Bums
M
fack to me
S
MEMBERSHIP OF EXCO: CBF
Fice (4
The Governor has indicated that he wishes to discuss the position of the CBF on ExCo next week. Ms Saunders has passed on the previous correspondence.
1.
2.
First, the constitutional position. Under Royal Instruction (RI) II, the CBF is a prescribed member of ExCo. To have him removed, therefore, would require an amendment to the RI's. There is no particular problem with this, except that it will probably raise the public profile of the issue.
I think in many
3.
Second, the usefulness of CBF on ExCo.
ways having him on ExCo on a full time basis is hard to justify. His presence would only be essential in emergency situations. Most of the time he will be contributing in the same way as any other ExCo members ie in a personal
-
capacity and from his personal knowledge. Certainly from a security point of view, I would have thought there was more justification for either the Secretary for Security or the Commissioner of Police to be on ExCo. It would of course be open to the Governor to invite the CBF to attend meetings as and when necessary. In strictly practical Hong Kong terms, think this would be a more sensible position.
4.
I
Like Mr Paul, I have not detected any controversy in Hong Kong about CBF being on ExCo. I suspect therefore the main thinking behind this may be the post 1997 mirror image. Taking CBF off could enable the Governor to put on a similar civil servant (S for S or C of P) or, it could open the way to the appointment of whom ever on LegCo chaired the Security Panel. If the Governor was simply looking for another spot, without wishing to increase the size of Exco, this could be another reason for removing CBF.
5. In short, from a strictly local Hong Kong point of view, I see no problem with taking CBF off ExCo. The wider picture however might suggest caution.
M
CODE 18-77
M V Stone
11 October 1991
cc: Ms Saunders
TICACC
copied to Mr Wye, RAD with request to locate papers.
BW16110
CONFIDENTIAL
Mu Slove
The Governor tells me
Hal Here were
popers
afort His in 84-85
And since he's tee
mol
[overnor) Anny hope of finding tem?