TNAG-0828-FCO40-1036-Dependent-Territories-Senior-Appointments-Board--1979-1979 — Page 3

ADMINISTRATION IN CONFIDENCE

HKA 431/2 (Annexe)

69

Chief Clerk

PS/PUS

Action continuing

on the main file.

Jee Jolio (30) HAA431/2.

2 MAY 1979

DU

INDEX

FA

DEPENDENT TERRITORIES SENIOR APPOINTMENTS BOARD (DTSAB)

1.

I understand that the PUS has decided that there is no longer any real need for separate machinery to handle dependent territories appointments, and that, subject to Ministers' views, the meeting of the BTSAB arranged for 4 June should be the last.

2.0 I submit the following drafts:

(a) A draft minute from the PUS to Sir P Preston seeking his concurrence (Draft A). There was correspondence between Lord (then Sir Dennis) Greenhill and Sir Geoffrey Wilson (then Permanent Secretary at the ODM) before the DTSAB was set up in 1969. Although the ODA no longer have the same interest in dependent territories appointments as they had ten years ago (when they were responsible for the management of HOCS), they still have a representative on the DTSAB and it would be appropriate to consult them

before abolishing it.

(b) A draft letter from the PUS to Sir D Trench (Draft B).

He has been a member of the Board since 1972 and is its only non-official member. It would be a courtesy to inform him of what is intended before the Board meets

on 4 June.

(c) A draft submission to the Secretary of State (Draft C). Drafts B and C might issue as soon as Sir P Preston has given

his agreement.

3. On the assumption that the Secretary of State agrees to the proposed change, it will be necessary to decide how best to handle senior dependent territories appointments in the Office in future. I will be discussing this with Mr Alexander in the first instance and will submit further in due course.

22 May 1979

cc Mr Cortazzi

Mr Stratton

Mr Alexander, POD

RJT McLaren

Hong Kong and General Department

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