TNAG-0938-FCO40-1157-Visit-of-John-Nott--Secretary-of-State-for-Trade--to-Hong-Ko-1980 — Page 128

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STAFF IN CONFIDENCE

Reference

Original at: HKE 431|1

This Copy for:

Information only / Action an

Paras) Mr Stansfield, S

CG 409)

Cc: Overseas Inspectorate

18 77

H16.0264

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0. 51

(32A

BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION, HONG KONG

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1.

I attach a copy of BTC telegram No. CREDA 149*of* 18-July and would draw your attention in particular to paragraphs 5 to 7, which underline Mr March's administrative difficulties in Hong Kong.

2. In this particular instance, we have intervened with LOT and they have, reluctantly, agreed to meet the extra costs arising from this Ministerial visit. However, they have asked us to look into the question of Mr March's allowances since they are con- cerned, as we are, that he does not have the proper financial backing to do his job.

3. I have just in fact returned from a duty visit to Hong Kong and had had it in mind to raise this question with you, since it- was evident from my conversations with Mr March that he feels badly disadvantaged as far as entertainment allowance is concerned. Although he is Head of Post, he does not appear to have the usual Head of Mission allowances and infrastructure back-up. This is a pity since the BTC Hong Kong is an extremely busy post, undertaking a major commercial effort in a highly competitive market.

There are many British visitors, many of whom look to Mr March for some form of back-up. There is a large Consular Corps largely geared to commercial work, and Mr March may well feel that he is also at a disadvantage vis-à-vis them, although they are not strictly his "colleagues" since the BTC has, of course, no consular status. Is there any possibility of a fresh and urgent look being taken at the structure of Mr March's allowances?

、

4.

Another problem which is causing BTC anguish is that of leave since fare-paid UK leave is only allowed after two years. This contrasts badly with the position of other US officers working within the Hong Kong Government since, on Hong Kong Government terms of service, they receive annual fare-paid leave to the UK. Is there any possibility of reviewing the leave position of BTC? Mr March told me that the rationale behind their two year tour was that other UK-based Civil Servants (presumably MOD and GCHQ) are required to do a two year tour, and that any change for BTC staff would lead to a demand to extend the concession to the much larger numbers of home Civil Servants presently working in Hong Kong. I should have thought that this argument could have been resisted on the grounds that DS terms of service are not necessarily the same as those of officers from other Lepartments serving in the same country/territory.

ته سازی

P Morrice

23 July 1980

Hong Kong and General Department

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