TNAG-0694-FCO40-844-Inspection-of-Hong-Kong-Department-1977 — Page 116

ADMINISTRATION IN CONFIDENCE

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That is may be some time before a decision can be taken to shift esponsibility for Gibraltar into SED and thus clear the way for 2 merger of the rest of G&GD with HKD. Nevertheless, it might be

mistake for HKD to cease to be a joint FCO/ODM department if the work of the General Section etc of G&GD is assisted by that cepartment's current designation as a joint department. In short, would it make any difference to the performance of the General Section's functions if, on eventual merger with HKD, it were not to form part of a joint department?

It occurs to me also that if HKD were to cease to be a joint department, there might be implications for any wider existing BOO/ODM understanding on the handling and staffing of ODM-type work within the FCO and more particularly, the Dependent Jerritories Division. I would hope that this would not be so ance HKD lacks what believe are the basic characteristics of a judat Capartment, ie soms ODM staff and responsibility for a proper sià programme for the dependent territories for which it is

esponsible.

}

I should appreciate your views on this matter.

If you see

no objection to HKD's ceasing to be a joint department,

Stewart has it in mind to consider a submission to Mr Stanley/ - Mr. Larmour. M Williens (ODM) and the Chief Clerk accordingly.

293975

A. F. Meill

D F Milton

Hong Kong Department

K 247

233 4381

2.

be opening paragraph of a paper attached to Sir David Scott's minute 22 July 1971 to the then PIIS on the proposal to set up Joint departments

De FCC and the CDA have for some time jointly been considering the arrangements for handling work on the dependent territories, in the WVghu in particular of the merger of the two offices and of the British Gorevement's direct responsibility for both the administration and the economic development of these countries. (Hong Kong has been excluded Com this exercise since it receives virtually no aid and its affairs are handled separately from those of the other dependencies within the FC.)"

Subsequently the following departments became Joint:

/Dependent Territories