TNAG-1234-FCO40-1547-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 58

SECRET

1.

VISIT OF SIR EDWARD YOUDE GCMG MBE, GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG

ADMINISTRATIVE AND PERSONNEL MATTERS

copy attached

I

A

TiKR040/4

1982

14

B

ת

230

LOCALISATION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT

1.

Consideration hs been given recently to the scope for "localising" the Hong Kong Government, in the sense of giving it

more autonomy, particularly in internal affairs, and reducing

where possible the areas where HMG now intervene. A

preliminary draft paper was sent to the Governor on 21 December 1982 for his comments, and in particular for his views on

whether any proposals ought to be pursued at this stage.

2.

(a)

(b)

(c)

3.

We think that that there may be advantage in:

reducing further the Hong Kong Government's requirement to consult HMG on appointments, promotions and dismissals;

increasing and accelerating the number of Hong Kong Chinese employed in senior grades; and

in removing the present requirement for Administrative Officers to be British passport-holders. (This would need to be looked at anyway in the context of the British

Nationality Act 1981).

The second of these points was also raised by Lord Belstead in his report to the Secretary of State following his recent visit to Hong Kong. A copy of this has been sent to the

Governor.

4.

The Governor has given a preliminary reply to Mr Clift's letter of 21 December 1982. He doubts the wisdom of taking any action at this stage that might appear to dilute the role of HMG in any way, but agrees that change is both desirable and inevitable in the longer term when the outcome of the talks on the future is clearer. He has given particular thought to the absence of Hong Kong Chinese in the senior ranks of the Administration, and wishes to discuss this point. One obvious difficulty will be how to reconcile this aim with a policy of promotion on merit.

SECRET

/5.