TNAG-0739-FCO40-943-Employment-of-Hong-Kong-civil-servants-in-Hong-Kong-and-Gene-1980 — Page 29

CONFIDENTIAL

STAFF IN CONFIDENCE

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WKLAMS.PB.

really a starter.

Nor is there anything at all to be said for creating a special post of "Hong Kong Adviser" in the FCO - the existence of such a man would make life quite impossible for the

Head of HKGD.

4.

What is really wanted is a bright young Hong Kong administrative officer with perhaps 5-6 years experience in the Hong Kong Govern- ment Service who could fill one of the junior desk officer slots in the Hong Kong Third Room, Such an officer would not only be able to provide us with useful Hong Kong expertise but would also be able to gain experience of the workings of Whitehall that should prove invaluable when he returns to Hong Kong.

5. In his letter the Governor refers to a belief that Mr Williams

is being considered for the Governorship of the Cayman Islands, I have no idea how he got this belief. We do not anticipate a vacancy in the Cayman Islands for another two or three years. Mr Williams was considered by the DTSAB last autumn for the Governorships of the Gilberts and of the Turks and Caicos but in each case another candidate was preferred. He is not at present under consideration for any other dependent territory job, though we have him on our index of suitable candidates should any vacancies arise. However, as Mr Stewart made plain to Mr Williams in his letter of 9 December 1977, we do not anticipate anything coming up for at least a year or so. I recommend that the Chief Clerk should reply to the Governor on the lines of the

attached draft.

24 May 1978

00:

Mr Walker POD

CONFIDENTIAL STAFF IN CONFIDENCE

WE Quantrill

Hong Kong & General Dept