TNAG-0211-FCO40-247-Reorganisation-of-Hong-Kong-Government-Office-in-London-1969 — Page 26

2600224

C.S. 84

XCR(69)221

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(i)

(ii)

the "commerce and industry" responsibilities as described in paragraph 8 above;

the "information services" commitment regarding general dissemination of information on Hong Kong, the co-ordination of all Hong Kong's public relations activities in Britain, and the catering for Hong Kong residents in Britain in connection with the Liaison Office;

(iii) placement of students, recommended by the

Education Department, in academic institutions and providing them with assistance in general;

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

looking after Government trainees and 'merit trip' visitors (including placement and arrange- ments for attachments and accommodation);

the operation of the London Selection Board;

the commitments towards Hong Kong residents in Britain following the expected build-up of the Liaison Office;

(vii) the miscellaneous duties outlined in paragraph 7

above;

(viii) eventual assumption of direct responsibility for Hong Kong House from the Board of Governors.

Recommendation 2: That the functions of the new London Office be as outlined above,

(c) Nature of the new London Office

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In view of the diverse range of functions, it would be in- appropriate for the new office to be responsible to different depart- ments. The London Office could be given departmental status but since it is the projection of the Government of Hong Kong in the United Kingdom, it is felt that for general administration purposes it should be part of the Colonial Secretariat, although the Head of the Office will need to be given certain powers of internal administration normally exercised by Heads of Department, subject to recommendation 5 below.

Recommendation 3: That the new London Office is established as a branch of the Colonial Secretariat (see paragraph 19 below).

(d) The title and status of the Head of the New Office

17

The Secretary of State has been informed of the broad intention to re-organise the London Office. Specifically, it has been necessary to consult the Secretary of State on the title and status of the Head of the London Office. A number of titles were suggested and the title "Administrative Commissioner for the Government of Hong

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