TNAG-0827-FCO40-1035-Dependent-Territories-Senior-Appointments-Board--1979-1979 — Page 20

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HKA 431/2 RECEIVED IN REG.STRY Ray

· 2 AUG 1979

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GOVERNORSHIP OF THE FALKLAND ISLANDS

1. We had a word about Port Stanley telegram No 132 conveying Mr Ridley's view that Mr Parker's appointment as Governor ought to be extended for a further year.

2. As things stand at present Mr Parker's appointment will end in December this year when he will also be 60. Mr R M Hunt's appointment to succeed him was recommended by the Dependent Territories Senior Appointments Board on 4 June- approved by the Secretary of State on 21 July (the delay was caused by the need for Mr Hunt's promotion to Grade 3 to be considered by the No 1 Board, which did not meet until 13 July); and agreed by the Prime Minister on 25 July. We were about to seek The Queen's informal approval when Port Stanley TUR arrived.

3. I understand that POD feel strongly that Mr Parker should retire at the due time and that Mr Hunt's appointment should stand. For his part, Mr Hall sees no reason to dissent from Mr Ridley's judgement that an extension of Mr Parker's tour would be helpful. But he points out that the Minister of State's case depends in large part on endorsement of his proposals for substantive negotiations with Argentina, and that this is by no

means assured.

4.

It seems to me that it will be difficult to resolve the issue until Ministers have decided ther or not to embark on early negotiations with the Argentines. I am not sure when this will happen. In the meantime you may wish to have a word with Mr Ridley, or suggest to Mr Hurd that he might do so. A diffi- culty is that on present plans Mr Ridley will not return from his tour abroad until 9 August and will only be in the office for that afternoon and, perhaps, for a short time on the morning of 10 August. He will then go on leave and will not return to the Office until 23 August.

1 August 1979

CC

Mr Hall

Mr Beamish (POD)

R J T MCLaren

Hong Kong and General Department

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