TNAG-0221-FCO40-257-Re-organisation-of-colonial-secretariat-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 11

Acted.

K>

K271 Bu 30.9.70

Mr heard

Mr. Wilford Sir L. Monson

CONFIDENT IAL

Reference....

Mr. Ganry

En 1319

Sir L. Monson asked for my further comments on these

proposals.

2.

I am thinking primarily of the best way of running

a large organisation. Just as there are sound and well- tried reasons for organising the FCO by Divisions so I

consider, with respect to Sir H. Norman-Walker, that it

would be sensible to get away from the bottleneck of the

Colonial Secretariat in Hong Kong. The Crown Colony system of government was designed to deal with backward countries not a modern, highly sophisticated "State" such as Hong Kong has become.

3.

During our brief discussion with Sir H. Norman-

Walker there were, to my mind, two points of significance that emerged. First, Sir H. Norman-Walker mentioned that Sir C. Hartwell had recommended the introduction of a system modelled on the "Member" system. As we have not previously heard anything about this we can only assume that Sir C. Hartwell's ideas were not

acceptable to the Governor. Secondly, Sir H. Norman- Walker remarked that if the Secretariat were broken up "power groups" would grow up to the detriment of the Colony. My own view is that the creation of a number of Permanent Secretaries would help to ensure that the

resources of the Government were devoted to a more balanced programme of development than is the case at

present.

4. The idea of associating unofficials more closely

with the business of government on the lines suggested would, I believe, have the following advantages :-

(a) It would present an opportunity of reviewing

the present arrangements involving, according to Sir H. Norman-Walker, something approaching two hundred advisory committees (far more than

are shown in the published list, of which a copy is attached).

/ (b).