TNAG-0334-FCO40-370-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 55

CONFIDENTIAL

Brief No 13

SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG

FEBRUARY 1972

EXPATRIATE STAFFING PROBLEMS

POINTS TO MAKE

1. We recognise that Hong Kong has a continuing need for expatriates

of various kinds and at various levels.

2. In order to meet our worldwide staffing responsibilities in the

dependent territories as a whole, HMG has a similar need.

3.

These needs are to some extent complementary. To meet them

there must be greater mobility between the various dependent

territories, and between the territories and the Home Civil and

Diplomatic Services."

4. Special arrangements may be required to produce appropriate

terms of service covering all dependent territories.

5. For local Hong Kong political reasons as well as for the se

wider purposes, we now need to examine the possibility of

introducing supplementation of expatriate salaries in Hong Kong

from HMG's own funds.

6. The need for more Diplomatic Service and Home Civil Service

secondments is recognised, though in either case there are limits

on the numbers which could be released. The problem is being

studied in Whitehall by an Interdepartmental Working Party.

7.

Joint discussions as soon as possible with Hong Kong on staffing

needs and conditions of service are important.

1 CONFIDENTIAL