TNAG-0923-FCO40-1141-Secondments-from-Diplomatic-Service-and-Home-Civil-Service-t-1980 — Page 91

CONFIDENTIAL

MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE!

HKK 400/2.

HKA 431/393/15

(4)

Mr Clift, Hong Kong & General Department

CC:

1.

Mr Broadley, PPD LAN

Mr Munro

Miss Rothwell

Mr Patterson

Mr Hodge

2

M

Thank you for copying to us your minutes of 11 and 12 March about staffing questions in Hong Kong and representation of Hong Kong overseas.

2. Given the pressures on the DS at the moment, POD would have an interest in ensuring that any increase in our representation on behalf of Hong Kong was met by DS manpower. It would be ironic ifer, for example, the cost of HM Embassy in Washington to be

increased to service a Minister (Hong Kong Affairs) provided by the Hong Kong Administration.

3.

With regard to interchange between Whitehall and Hong Kong, your own experience in having someone from Hong Kong your Depart- ment is, of course, of great value. If we were to expand exchanges between the Hong Kong Administration and Whitehall, especially if the expansion were mainly in the social policy departments, then I think the first step would be to invite the CSD to make arrangements under the interchange scheme. The Under-Secretary responsible there is Mr Jonathan Charkham.

4.

POD would be glad to have notice of any vacancies in Hong Kong that might be suitable for serving DS officers or DS officers retiring prematurely.

I hope you will be able to keep us in touch.

13 March 1980

MBeaniti

A J Beamish

Personnel Operations Department

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