TNAG-0694-FCO40-844-Inspection-of-Hong-Kong-Department-1977 — Page 15

CONFIDENTIAL/SUMINISTRATION IN CONFIDENCE

scene may, however, develop over the next 18 months to a point where neither section is necessary in its present form. We have recommended when reporting on SWPD and PDTD that following the independence of the Solomons, Gilberts and Tuvalu the rest of PDTD should be absorbed by SWPD as a normal regional department. The Falkland Islands are already administered in a political department and proposals for the transfer of Gibraltar affairs to a political department are in hand. We expect therefore that in two years time all remaining Dependent Territories work, except for Hong Kong, will be centered in WIAD. If so, the need for the General section's coordinating role will have largely disappeared. Equally, we expect that the need for staff recruitment will have dwindled to a point where most senior Dependent Territories staff, except for Hong Kong, will have to be found from Diplomatic Service resources and any staffing responsibilities (Hong Kong apart) that remain can readily be absorbed in the Personnel departments of the FCO. If in the meanwhile the policy of greater direction and intervention in Hong Kong's affairs has necessitated additional staffing, Hong Kong department may continue as a viable department. Otherwise our proposed review at the end of 1977 will provide the opportunity to look again at a possible amalgamation with FED.

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CONFIDENTIAL/ADMINISTRATION IN CONFIDENCE

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