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CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
FOREIGN RELATIONS
The foreign relations of the Government of Hong Kong are the responsibility of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, but in the sphere of external trade a considerable degree of latitude is in practice permitted to the Hong Kong Government. Hong Kong's dependence on trade makes it necessary for the Hong Kong Government to maintain offices in London, Washington, Geneva and Brussels to maintain and improve commercial relations with other countries.
COLONIAL SECRETARIAT
The Colonial Secretary is the Governor's principal adviser on policy, the chief executive of the Government, the head of the civil service and the chief Government spokesman. His office (known as the Colonial Secretariat) is under the general direction of the Deputy Colonial Secretary and co-ordinates and supervises the work of all government departments.
The Financial Secretary is responsible for financial and economic policy and for the overall supervision through his Deputy Financial Secretary and Deputy Economic Secretary of departments primarily involved in this field. The Establishment Secretary deals with per- sonnel matters; the Defence Secretary advises on defence and internal security, co-ordinates the work of the local forces and auxiliary services and maintains liaison with the police and Her Majesty's armed forces stationed in the Colony.
A Political Adviser seconded from the Foreign Office advises on the external political aspects of government policies.
Principal Assistant or Assistant Colonial Secretaries head the other main branches of the Secretariat, dealing with general matters, social services, buildings and lands, Councils and legal matters.
LONDON OFFICE
The London Office, situated at 53–54 Pall Mall, is a projection of the Hong Kong Government in London and as such it forms part of the Colonial Secretariat and the Administrative Commissioner is directly responsible to the Colonial Secretary. The Administrative Commissioner provides a point of direct contact in London between