TNAG-0828-FCO40-1036-Dependent-Territories-Senior-Appointments-Board--1979-1979 — Page 145

STAFF IN CONFIDENCEZ

CC.

Reference.

HKPF/RUSSELL/T

24

Mr McLaren

See mmute of 21/05 fu

•

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MR T RUSSELL CBE GOVERNOR, CAYMANS

1.

HEA 431/2 Annex..

ABMANA.

fre... P.P.

Mr Russell is due to call on you on Tuesday, 20 March, at 2.30 pm. I attach a c.v.

2. As you know, we are proposing to ask the DTSAB's blessing on an extension of Mr Russell's term of office, currently due to end in November of this year, for a further six months until mid-1980 when he is 60. I was recently telephoned by Mr Dale who said that they in WIAD considered Mr Russell such an excellent Governor that they were wondering whether we could not go for a rather longer extension. He suggested a further year after mid-1980. Mr Dale considered that the reason why all went smoothly and quietly in the Caymans was not because the Ministers there were easy to deal with on the contrary, some of them were quite awkward and difficult but because Mr Russell's ability to manage them successfully was so outstanding. You will recall. that a petition from the Legislative Assembly in the Caymans was recently sent to Mr Stratton asking for Mr Russell's term of office to continue.

3. We had thought of Mr Russell retiring at 60 but there is nothing magical about that age if all concerned think it is right for him to remain and if he is willing to do so. You may remember Mr Postnett put forward the idea of Mr Lloyd as a possible successor to Mr Russell, but as you know Sir Peter Ramsbotham did not consider that his health would stand up to a Governorship. I told Mr Dale that if he and Mr Duff felt strongly that Mr Russell's term of office should be extended after 60, we would like to see their arguments for this on paper. He agreed to let us have a note. You may think it worth tentatively sounding out Mr Russell about his future plans.

4. The only other officer for whom we are responsible in the Caymans is Mr Barwick, the Attorney-General. Mr Russell may mention Mr Barwick's interest in being considered for other vacancies. Mr Barwick recently wrote to me about this. He applied for the Attorney-General, Hong Kong, vacancy.

He seems to be doing a good job in the Caymans and Mr Rushford thinks highly of him. We will certainly bear him in mind for any suitable vacancies, but I fear they come up pretty rarely.

19 March 1979

جی

E T Gregory (Mrs)

Hong Kong and General Department

CODE 18-77

STAFF IN CONFIDENCE