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(c) Using an FCO desk officer. Quite apart from the variable standards reached by our language students, this would surely not provide the degree of concentration or continuity which would be needed to reach the standard provided by a full- time interpreter.
(d) A wife: open to the same objections as (c). Incidentally the Ashton family is ruled out at present on other grounds, as Judy is pregnant.
FED under-
4. We have been making some discreet enquiries about other avenue. The only name we have come across that sounds at all likely is Elizabeth Smith who is in her mid- thirties, teaches at the Polytechnic of Central London, and has an interpreter's diploma in Mandarin. stand (though they do not know her) that her standard is high and that she might welcome a move from her present job. She is married (her husband teaches German), but travels quite often to China.
5. We will certainly do all we can to help you find a solution insofar as recruitment in the UK may be one answer But we would first be grateful for your views on:
(a) Whether a replacement for Y P, at least for the JLG and Land Commission work, could realistically be based other than in Hong Kong?
(b) What salary and terms of service could the HKG offer?
(c) If we were to pursue with the Administration here the idea of HMG reimbursing the HKG for part of an interpreter's services, we would need your initial ideas about the percentage of salary (plus pension contributions and housing costs?) which HMG could fairly be asked to meet.
(d) Given the importance in some contexts of knowledge of complex Hong Kong issues, do you think a good ability in Cantonese is essential or merely desirable?
cc:
Mr Galsworthy, HKD
Mr Masefield, FED
Mr Dinwiddy, POD
Mr Escritt, Finance Dept.
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D C Wilson
تere
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