TNAG-0363-FCO40-409-Appointments-of-senior-officers-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 92

CYPHER/CAT A

CONFIDENTIAL

15

FM HONG KONG 140657Z

CONFIDENTIAL

TO ROUTINE F C O TELNO 177 OF 14TH FEBRUARY, 1973.

YOUR TELNO 136 PARA 4: RETURN OF HOBLEY FROM BERMUDA.

OUR PLAN IS THAT HOBLEY SHOULD TAKE OVER:

2.

(A) FROM SNEATH AS SOLICITOR GENERAL,

B) SUBSEQUENTLY FROM ROBERTS AS ATTORNEY GENERAL.

WITH REGARD TO TIMING:

21

(A) SNEATH WILL LEAVE COLONY ON RETIREMENT AT THE END OF MARCH OR

EARLY APRIL, AND

(B) SIR HUGH NORMAN-WALKER WILL GO ON RETIREMENT LEAVE ABOUT THE

TURN OF THE YEAR.

3.

IN VIEW OF Q(A) AND 2(B) HOBLEY'S RETURN IS A MATTER OF URGENCY AND ITS PROBABLE DATE CONSIDERABLY AFFECTS OUR PLANNING, AS I KNOW YOU REALISE. GRATEFUL THEREFORE TO KNOW HOW YOUR APPROACH

TO BERMUDA HAS FARED.

MACLEHOSE

FILE S:

HEAD G & G D

HEAD HKIOD SIR D. WATSON

CONFIDENTIAL

COPIES TO:

MR. KUSHFORD, LEGAL ADVISER MR. FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISER