G.F. 316
SECRET 高度機密
Structure and Staffing
6.
It is impossible now to predict the level of the workload during this time. It could well be heavy and there is
the possibility that crises will occur. Rather than overburden the Office with a large establishment, we suggest instead a flexible structure, staffed by a limited number of personnel selected on the basis of experience, merit and ability rather
than rank. These will have to work as a team under the PA and all be prepared to pitch in as necessary. We anticipate four posts to be adequate, one of which will be the Deputy Political Adviser who will mostly deal with China relations but also head
the office when PA is absent. A support staff of 12, c.f. the chart at Annex A, is envisaged.
Accommodation
7.
We will not fit this team into Government House, which
already houses a large Private Office, but it should be located
close by.
In order that 'British' influence be seen to detach
itself from HKG as we approach 1997, it would probably be best
for the Office to move out of the Secretariat. A suitable
location would be St John's Building, where the Government
Property Administrator has confirmed that, subject to successful
negotiations, the 5th floor could be made available from July
1994 to June 1997.
Communications
8.
The PA's Office will continue to use Government House
communications facilities until these are phased out. As the British Consulate General facilities are phased in, it may be appropriate for the Office to switch to using these.
Timetable
9.
We envisage the following timetable of events:
1 July 1994
Outfitting of accommodation in St John's Building.
SECRET 高度機密