TNAG-0915-FCO40-1126-Inspection-of-British-Trade-Commission--Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 37

CONFIDENTIAL

2.

their administration. I told Mr. Gatty that I think that they must form part of the Senior Trade Commissioner's staff even though I should naturally try to ensure that they met all the tasking put forward by the Embassy in Peking. My reasons are as follows:-

(a)

any complaints or enquiries from visiting British businessmen or officials about the performance of the China Trade Section will be directed at the Senior Trade Commissioner and not to the Embassy in Peking;

(b) a senior Grade DS5 Head of China Unit will be the

natural deputy to the Senior Trade Commissioner and in my absence ought not be subject to the formal directive of HM Ambassador in Peking;

(c)

there is an operational need for a China Trade Unit in Hong Kong quite separate from any functions which it might perform on behalf of the Embassy in Peking (see my letter of 12 March to Peter Unwin in Personnel Policy Department. We should therefore

avoid a situation whereby HM Ambassador in Peking could summon China Trade Unit staff across the border without respect to their duties in Hong Kong.

I do not see any reason why the China Trade Section should not operate under my control for in practice I am fully aware of their vital importance to the Commercial Section in Peking.

5. I should like to have the opportunity of discussing these developments with H.E. when I pay a call on him on Thursday afternoon prior to departure on leave. I think that what I shall require from the Hong Kong Government is:-

(a)

(b)

confirmation that you see no political objection to the dual accreditation of my China Trade staff to the Embassy in Peking;

support for my argument that the allocation of staff

CONFIDENTIAL

/to the....