Ke. 02446
BY FAX TO MARY BROWN
3
HKA 233/6
PA to Mr
to Mr Fish
Do
you
want
CABINET OFFICE
70 Whitehall London SWIA ZAS Telephone 071-270
0170
to attend?
9 July 1992
ms 10/7
Adrian Stringer (AP) TD
Director of Security
Ministry of Defence
Metropole Building
Room 1/35
LONDON
WC2N 5BL
Dear tarian
M GA
m
10/1
Mn Stone 10/7 Miss Wilkes a 10/7
"Happy to have one
wilt me
p.a.pls
821017
You
1017
MEMBERS OF HER MAJESTY'S OVERSEAS CIVIL SERVICE IN HONG KONG AND THEIR DEPENDANTS: ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR EMPLOYMENT
UKA 233/1 419
I enclose copies of correspondence I have had recently with Peter
HKA 233/ Ricketts in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (his letter of 5
303
233/T
HKA 23
420
May 1992 to me, my reply of 8 June 1992, and his further letter of 24 June 1992) concerning the position of members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service who remain in Hong Kong after
1 July 1997.
As you will see, the correspondence deals with two issues, eligibility for recruitment and the prospect of achieving satisfactory security clearances. There appears to be nothing between us on the question of recruitment. However, there remain areas of particular concern in respect of security clearances as to the quality of the background checks we might be able to make in Hong Kong after 1997. You will note that I have restricted my comments thus far to questions of policy and have not commented on the application of our vetting policies, for example, to the individual armed services. The issues at present are ones of principle, but I think it would be helpful to bring you into the discussion at this stage so that you can feed in a "user's" view on the questions we are addressing.
As requested in Peter Ricketts' letter of 24 June 1992 we have arranged a small meeting here on Tuesday 21 July at 2.30 pm to run through the issues. In addition το myself and Peter Ricketts, I have invited Gilbert Hughes from the Security Service. I am pleased that you have indicated that you can also
attend.
I am copying this letter (without enclosures) to Peter Ricketts and Gilbert Hughes.
You's Ever
RD J WRIGHT