CONFIDENTIAL/ADMINISTRATION IN CONFIDENCE
Hong Kong budget in c`nsultation with an economist and scrutinizes financial reports and economic proposals. Much of this work recently has been in connection with the planning paper for Hong Kong. The lead on much of the commercial work is taken by EID (E) though HKIOD are consulted about drafts and have taken a share of the drafting themselves. The basic work on textiles was completed last year though individual problems such as a DOI call for a cut-back in shirt imports into the UK continue to arise. Mr Duffy has been more directly concerned with commercial opportunities arising out of the mass transit railway project where there is a need to secure British interest in sections of the project (electrical equipment, rolling stock etc) which the Hong Kong departments are now putting out for tender.
7. Mr Duffy also scrutinizes proposed legislation on social matters, monitors developments in the civil aviation field (on which MTD have the lead) and is concerned in efforts to improve the UK image in Hong Kong and vice versa. He looks after all Hong Kong's senior staff proposals other than those for administrative and legal staff (which are handled by Gibraltar and General department). These consist of recommendations by the Hong Kong government for promotions, resignations etc which need formal FCO confirmation.
8.
Mr Janvrin is responsible for Hong Kong's internal political affairs including Chinese activities in Hong Kong and for external relations, particularly membership of international organisations. External relations involving China are generally handled by FED though the problem of illegal immigrants has now been returned to HKIOD. His responsibilities for internal political affairs include constitutional questions such as a question of whether a Colonial Governor can negotiate a defence agreement with a Minister of the Crown and whether a defence agreement can be imposed on the Hong Kong Government. He turns for advice on such matters to the Legal Advisers.
9. Other responsibilities include the interest of the ILO and the National Executive of the Labour Party in Hong Kong's social legislation and efforts to comply with ILO requirements, and the Defence Costs Agreement (on which work is now complete for another 7 years), arrangements for the visits of Ministers and MFS to Hong Kong and of the Governor to the UK.
Workload
10. There is a steady and varied load of work with peak periods when both officers are required to work long hours.
A busy period during negotiation of the Defence Costs Agreement and
3.
CONFIDENTIAL/ADMINISTRATION IN CONFIDENCE
the visit
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