TNAG-1587-FCO40-2171-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-1986 — Page 21

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Dr. D.C. Wilson, CMG

CONFIDENTIAL

11 August 1986

it would seem reasonable to assume that the Consulate- General may require about the same number of staff as are at present involved in the issue of passports by the Immigration Department, i.e. 150. In the long run, the workload should decline as no-one born after July 1997 will acquire BN (O) status. The level of work in respect

of entry clearances for the UK is difficult to estimate. BN (0) passport holders will not require entry certificates to visit UK but presumably holders of Certificates of Identity and SAR passports will. Entry certificates and visas will be required for most of those settling in UK or going there for employment or residence. The best guess we can make is that the workload will be rather higher than at present. We now have about 35 officers doing this work and I think that for preliminary planning purposes, we should think in terms of about 50 staff. Most of these should be proficient in Cantonese.

Legal Adviser

It has occurred to us that there may be a need to consider whether the Consulate-General should have a resident Legal Adviser to support the JLG and advise on other legal matters handled by the CG. The justification for a resident Legal Adviser, probably at First Secretary level, would depend mainly on the frequency of the JLG and other sub- group meetings. Although it is difficult to make any firm forecast at this stage, we feel that it would be prudent to put down a marker in the planning brief.

I have prepared a table, attached to this letter, setting out the situation with our ideas incorporated. hope it will be of assistance.

I

As a separate exercise, we are considering suitable sites/premises for the Consulate-General and will write to you as soon as possible.

Your

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(P.B. Williams)

Secretary (General Duties)

CONFIDENTIAL