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ADMINISTRATION IN CONFIDENCE
10.
The General Section's work has sorne policy content in determining and in advising Colonial Governors on issues of common interest such as capital punishment, but it exists primarily as the personnel department for senior administrative and legal posts in the Dependent Territories.
Performance
11.
HKGD has a sound record. It is well regarded and its advice is generally good and prompt. In its Head, Mr Clift, and the Head of Hong Kong Section, Mr Williamson, it has two officers particularly expert in the Colony's affairs. A factor of some importance and an arrangement which I recommend should continue is that the Head of Department visits the Colony twice and the Assistant once a year to familiarise themselves with its problems and personalities. There is, of course, no Chancery in Hong Kong and the Department gets no objective political reporting, a further reason for Messrs Clift and Morrice to see things for themselves. Desk Officers also should ideally visit the Territory early in their tour of duty.
12.
The Hong Kong Section is headed by an officer seconded from the Hong Kong Government. This injection of local expertise more than compensates for the initial problems he encounters in adjusting to the ways of Whitehall and in drafting. Rather a lot of necessary redrafting takes place at senior levels in the Department and it is a skill to which I recommend inore attention should be given.
13. In such a small Department it is a pity that there should be as many as four levels of hierarchy. Much depends upon the experience of Desk Officers, and in present circumstances I do not think the section system can be abandoned, but I recommend greater flexibility where possible and that junior Desk Officers should be encouraged to report on occasion to the Assistant and Heads of Section.
to Mr Clift.
14.
The General Section is a less high-powered operation to which the Assistant gives detailed guidance. I was impressed with the care and impartiality with which staffing decisions are taken and the considerable weight given to officers' own wishes, particularly surviving members of the HMOCS. I nonetheless think that the staffing function is something of an anachronism and while it is handled well and economically it should, when a suitable opportunity arises, be absorbed by the personnel departments (see paras 41-44 below). I so
recommend.
Staffing
15. Although HKGD is a small Department enough work is generated, mainly on Hong Kong, to occupy a good DS4. His Assistant is not always fully extended but is needed to cover Mr Clift's absences of two or three months a year and to give policy and procedural guidance to the two Sections. Were it not for these absences I would seriously consider whether by some restructuring of the Sections the Assistant's post could be given up.
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ADMINISTRATION IN CONFIDENCE
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