TNAG-1135-FCO40-1415-Senior-appointments-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 9

Mr McQuade

Mr Clift

Bu

Noted

for Mr clift. 25/11/183

STAFF IN CONFIDENCE

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SENIOR APPOINTMENTS

1.

N Buli Ap2o11

You asked for my observations on Mr Rowlands' teleletter of 3 December.

2.

I agree that the reply gives us very little in the way of useful background information. In particular, it fails to give any indication of why these particular officers were chosen to fill the vacancies that occurred as a result of the retirements listed in paragraph 3. Posting policy is, of course, basically a matter for the Hong Kong Government and I do not know what role the FCO normally plays in it. However, we do, I think, have a legitimate interest in certain aspects, in particular:

(a)

(b)

(c)

whether any of the postings are being made with a view to groom any of the officers concerned for very senior rank;

in the context of Sir S Y Chung's remarks to Lord Belstead in October and Mr Clift's letter

October to Sir E Youde, whether any effort has been made to seek out local officers who may be given offices that test them or broaden their experience;

whether the unusual step of announcing at one time so many appointments that will take effect over such a long period will be detrimental to stability and or to the general public's confidence in the Hong Kong Government.

3. The timings given in paragraph 4 are helpful. Even these however raise some minor queries eg:

(a)

what will David Ford do before taking over as Director of Housing in July?

CODE 18.77

STAFF IN CONFIDENCE

/(b)