TNAG-0363-FCO40-409-Appointments-of-senior-officers-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 82

Sir Duncan Watson

PS Mr Royle

Mr Wilford or

t

COLONIAL SECRETARY, HONG KONG

1. You may wish to see the attached cuttings from the Hong Kong Standard of February 9 suggesting that either Mr Wilford or Mr Elliot is to be appointed as Colonial Secretary and that this is a pity.

2.

Reuters picked this up with the additional gloss that there was a dispute between the Governor and the FCO on the point, with the Governor in favour of a local candidate. News Department are taking the line that there has been no dispute. This is enough to hold the line for the time being. We cannot get involved in discussing names, as the elimination game eventually leads to identification. We should be able to announce the new appointment very shortly.

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15 February 1973

Copy to:

News Department

RESTRICTED

Cesa

A C Stuart

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department

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