TNAG-0728-FCO40-931-Appointment-of-Commissioner-Against-Corruption-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 49

Mr Murray

Mr Cortazzi

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PS/PUS

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APPOINTMENTS IN HONG KONG

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1. In his telegram no. 391 of 30 March, the Governor of Hong Kong suggests that Mr Jack Cater should take over from Sir Denys Roberts as Chief Secretary, Hong Kong, on

30 September this year rather than 1 July, as proposed by the PUS in his letter of 15 March.

2.

The Governor originally proposed that the change should take place in October/November, so his new proposal is only one day short of a return to his original idea. However, the circumstances have changed somewhat, since the proposals were initially made on the assumption that the present Chief Justice (whom Sir Denys Roberts is to succeed) was to retire in March,

whereas it now emerges that he is not to retire until

6 May.

Since the PUS's main reason for proposing that the change should take place earlier was in order to give Sir Denys Roberts rather longer to prepare himself for the job of Chief Justice, it would seem reasonable enough to accept the new date proposed by Sir Murray. This does mean that Sir Murray's successor as Governor will be bound to accept Mr Cater as Chief Secretary for at least a year after he takes over, rather than nine months, but I doubt whether the three months' difference will be all

that important.

3. In his telegram no. 392 of 30 March, the Governor has also put forward his recommended candidates to succeed Mr Cater in the sensitive post of Commissioner Against Corruption. However, before recommending what decision should be taken on this appointment, I should like to investigate further the possibility of finding a suitable candidate for the post from outside Hong Kong. The Department will be submitting further on this question within a few days.

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