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Private Secretary
FROM: CO Hum
DATE: 11 September 1992
CC:
Haan 115/1
15/18 12
PS/Mr Goodlad Mr Cox, HKD
APPOINTMENTS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (EXCO) 15
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1. The Governor of Hong Kong has sent me the attached personal telegram, setting out his thinking on appointments to ExCo. discussed his proposals earlier in the week with Mr Goodlad, who did not see any difficulty with them. Mr Patten has now asked for any comments that we may have: he has also asked me to let the Secretary of State know what he has in mind before he makes his formal recommendations.
2. The Governor's proposals flow from his decision to drop politicians from ExCo and to introduce in their place a range of independent figures of broad experience. He discussed with me many of the individuals concerned when I was in Hong Kong in July. I think there is no doubt that the net effect of his changes will be to produce an ExCo which is considerably more impressive than its predecessor and much better able to give him coherent and independent advice. I see no reason to dissent from any of the proposals which he has made. If the new candidates which he has identified are prepared to accept nomination they will make an able team.
3. Where the detail of the Governor's proposals is concerned, I have the following comments:
i) Present members of ExCo
The Governor has decided to wield the new broom very
vigorously: but he is in a position to do so and none of his decisions will cause great surprise.
ii) New appointments
All those proposed by the Governor are, to the best of my knowledge, highly regarded in Hong Kong
The balance is good (two lawyers, two businessmen, two academics and a social worker). Between them they represent a wide range of professional experience and public
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Redacted under FOI exemptions 27(1), 40(2) and 41.