CO129-611-2 Liaison with British Embassy and consulates in China- appointment of political advisor 1-9-1945 - 20-10-1947 — Page 17

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the P.Q. given on January 27th (at 20) and to the views already expressed by the late Ambassador and the Foreign Office themselves. See l and 2. (The words underlined in 20 were read over the telephone to Mr. Kitson who agreed with them.) The question of whether or not the post should revert to the Colonial Service after three years need not, I would have thought, hold up action on the appointment of a suitable officer

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14. F.O,

25

G. V. Kilson (F.O).

Mr. Mayle.

You should see 24 and 25.

The F.0. agree with the points made in your letter at 17 which, with their reply at 25, they have copied to the Ambassador. The Ambassador agrees generally with the recommendations of the Governor in 16 and makes the userul suggestion (24) that part of the training of any officer in the Hong Kong Administrative Service should be attachment for at least one year to the Embassy.

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In their telegram enclosed with 25 the Foreign Office show that they are now seriously considering this appointment since they are discussing names. I have enquired from the Foreign Office what a "Grade VII Officer" is and am informed it covers the ranks of 1st Secretary, Consul and Assistant Legal Adviser. for this post of Political Liaison Orficer we had in minder not lower rank than a Counsellor (i.e. Assistant Secretary) who is a Grade VI Officer. The proposal is that the Liaison Officer should be independant of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs and that he should report directly to the Governor. Moreover the post will be one of very considerable responsibility. However, the man is more important than the Grade and we must await the Ambassador's recommendations.

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