TNAG-0711-FCO40-877-Appointment-of-Chief-Secretary--Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 11

Mr sprocton

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CHIEF SECRETARY, HONG KONG

1.

Arrangements have to be made to fill the post of Chief Secretary, Hong Kong, in place of Sir Denys Roberts KBE QC. The vacancy will arise since it is proposed that Sir Denys should succeed Sir Geoffrey Briggs as Chief Justice, Hong Kong, when the latter retires in May 1979. The Chief Secretary should vacate his present position by September 1978 in order that he may take no part in the administration of the Territory before becoming Chief Justice and thus avoid any danger that he should have to a judicate on any of his official actions as Chief Secretary.

2. The Dependent Territories' Senior Appointments Board has been consulted and their advice to the Secretary of State is that Mr Jack Cater (Biographical Note attached) should be appointed.

3. The Board were advised that the only serious contenders in Hong Kong for the post were the present Financial Secretary Mr P Haddon-Cave and Mr Cater who is the Commissioner Against Corruption. Eight members of the Board agreed outright that Mr Cater was the correct choice for the job; the other two members, Sir David Trench and Mr Stratton, had reservations. Sir David, in his letter of 21 April 1978, regarded Mr Haddon-Cave as ahead of Mr Cater in intelligence and ability, although he conceded that Mr Cater had a better personality and broader experience. Mr Stratton, from his knowledge of both contenders when in Hong Kong, considered (in his minute of 25 April 1978) that Mr Haddon-Cave was more likely to inspire confidence. But both Sir David and Mr Stratton accepted that their reservations were not sufficient to override the Governor's preference for Mr Cater as set out in his letter of 13 February, 1978.

Original at:HKA 31/1

This Copy for: Information only/Action-on Rara(s)

STAFF IN CONFIDENCE

CONFIDEN NIAL

HKA 431/393/7

RECEIVED IK WIOSTRY NO.

5 MAY 1978

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