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3. In response to Gass' request, Tyrer
has applied for permission to retire
(alternative would have been proceedings
I have
for his compulsory retirement).
had two interviews with him since his
return. He has obviously taken decision
hard, and still seems to be suffering from
sense of shock. But he is behaving with
signity and I do not think he will seek to
contest decision or do anything to
embarrass Hong Kong.
4. He has however asked if we could take
him on in Commonwealth Office for at least
a few months (he has about four months
leave due to him), to enable him to retire
from Hong Kong with dignity.
For your
own personal information it is likely,
subject to ministerial endorsement next
week, that we shall want to get together
a team of two or three officials here,
with detailed and up to date local
knowledge, to prepare a contingency
(repeat contingency) plan for the
"unmentionable", should this ever be forced
on us (we are not expecting it, but must
be ready).
5. Tyrer would presumably have the
detailed knowledge needed for this. But
before we take matter any further, should
be most grateful to know what you would
think of this.
6.
Understand we could speak on scrambler
from Embassy in Dublin. Much regret
having to worry you wit: this, but would
be most grateful if we could have a word
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