SECRET
previously carried out by HKID may mean that they will require
less staff. If so we should certainly look at offering
experienced locally engaged staff positions, on a selective
basis. HKID have been told, and they have accepted, that the
more senior posts of Entry Clearance Offices would have to be
filled by UK based staff. But MVD are now considering the issues again. The HK Consultative Committee have asked for
early discussion of the issues.
8.
The immigration section would be rather less labour
intensive than passport section, requiring some 16 UK based
and 32 locally engaged staff members, as distinct from 4 UK
and 155 locally engaged staff. But, according to the SOR for
the new building, the space requirements for immigration
section visa would still amount to some 6400 sq feet
(including public waiting areas). It would therefore prove an
expensive business to consider taking on immigration work before the new building is completed. This suggests that we
should plan to take on visa work as soon as the new building
is operational, say in mid 1996.
Commercial/Economic Work
9. Commercial and economic work currently involve 60% of the
Senior Trade Commissioner's time, one DS7, two LEIS and 3.5
LEIIIS. The schedule of requirements for the Consulate General envisages in addition one DS5, one DS7, One LEI, one
LEI (Southern China) 4 LEIIIs and one LEIV. In the current
financial year Mr Day is looking to recruit a locally engaged
commercial officer, at LEI. The Chairman of the British
Overseas Trade Board had expressed keen interest in reinforcing the Trade Commission as soon as possible. The PUS said in his letter to Sir Derek Hornby of 4 March, that he
would want Mr Day to address the needs on the
commercial/economic front as soon as he takes over the post of
brief.consgen.BTC
JEB
SECRET