HKA 233/1
Reference
BAAT pls.
Be
442
Mr D Tunstall
Area 2 Postings Group
PMD
TY.
بلا
verly cent
دانی
217
HONG KONG HMOCS OFFICERS: POSTS IN OTHER DERENDENT TERRITORIES
1.
401 Thank you
we have over the for your minute of 15 June. We have over the past 15 years or so placed a considerable number of Hong Kong HMOCS officers in Governorships and other positions in other DTS (Peter Lloyd, Chris Turner and Alan Scott spring immediately to mind). Their experience is of value and in general the expertise which Hong Kong HMOCS officers bring is unique in that Hong Kong remains the last cadre of any size with DTs experience.
2.
However, we are doubtful about entering into a commitment to give such officers consideration "before all else" (para 2 of Walter's letter of 2 June). It is the FCO's duty to put the interest of the particular DT first. There may be many others better placed to compete for posts (particularly in the Caribbean which has a very different ethos from Hong Kong). And as we begin to get more DS officers coming through the system with DTs experience, they may well be stronger candidates. Therefore, I believe our policy should be to take each job on a case-by-case basis and consider a list of candidates against them.
3. I do, however, have a great deal of sympathy for the Hong Kong HMOCS officers. If PMD, SED and SAAD felt able and willing to do so, I would have no objection to alerting the Government Secretariat to forthcoming jobs in Hong Kong through whatever system they might like to set up. If we do so though we should make clear that there is a policy, agreed by Ministers, that the FCO should build up its own cadre of expertise within its ranks and that the applications of Hong Kong HMOCS officers cannot be given any special treatment.
Rhold.
8032
HRC Holland
West Indian & Atlantic Department
WH MZ 36
1 July 1992
270-2631
cc: Mr Stone, Hong Kong Department
Mr Kirk, SAAD
Mr Carter, SED
RH1AGJ
CODE 18-77