SECRET AND PERSONAL
for himself and introduce any changes gradually. Against that, the first few months are likely to be
the crucial time for the Governor to establish
himself. It could be the period when he most needs
help from a UK-based adviser.
Deputy Governor
Minde
11. A Diplomatc Adviser would be paid for by HMG and would be on the Governor's personal staff: he would not have any
constitutional role. An alternative approach to supporting
the new Governor would be to appoint a Deputy Governor, either as a new executive layer between the Governor and Chief Secretary or in a more detached role like the US
Vice-President, in order to relieve the Governor of some
ceremonial and representational duties. He would supplant the Chief Secretary as Deputy to the Governor during the
Governor's absences. If the Deputy Governor were an
official from London, the local reaction would be even stronger than for option (iii) above. A Hong Kong appointee (local or expatriate) to such a post could help ease the 1997 transition by preparing the office of the post-1997
Chief Executive. Even if a Deputy Governor were a Hong Kong Chinese, the Chinese Government would be most unlikely to agree that he/she should become Chief Executive in 1997. But Hong Kong opinion would welcome the gesture of having a Hong Kong Chinese in this job, even if it were largely ceremonial. On the other hand, placing a senior expatriate civil servant in it could facilitate localisation of the
Chief Secretary. Either way a Hong Kong appointee would not remove the need for a UK official in Government House.
Press Adviser
12. A new Governor may well decide that he needs a Personal Press Adviser. This is unlikely to be as sensitive as importing officials to handle policy matters. The options
are considered in the Annex.
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