TNAG-1587-FCO40-2171-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-1986 — Page 64

CODE 1877

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference...................

Mr Dinwiddy

Mr Goodenough

1.

HONG KONG: JOINT LIAISON GROUP (JLG) AND THE CONSULATE-GENERAL

0811 You held a meeting on 11 March to discuss the draft paper 38 on the JLG attached to Mr Galsworthy's minute of 4 February, and to review the likely staffing requirements for the Consulate- General in Hong Kong in 1987. Others present included Mr Layden and Mr Powell (HKD), Mr Johns (POD) and Mr Patey (PUSD).

2.

The main points to emerge from discussion of the JLG were:

(i) Options (c) and (f) were front runners, but (a)

should not yet be wholly ruled out, at least for the early years. (f), under which the Senior Representative would have concurrent status as non-resident Minister in Peking, might be best, since the workload in Hong Kong alone might be light to start with. It might be politically preferable, as well as cheaper, for him not to have his own house in Peking. (f) might permit some offsetting saving in Peking among officers now dealing with Hong Kong matters.

(ii) In view of continuing resource constraints manpower

requirements should in any case be minimised, either by restricting the JLG's establishment or by off- setting savings elsewhere.

(iii) Some resident support at DS5 or equivalent level

would be required. Various permutations were possible. Subject to the views of the Governor, the Assistant Political Adviser might possibly play a part.

(iv) Communications and possibly some other support could be provided by the Hong Kong Government. begin with, so long as the Senior Representative had a PA (probably an S2), a separate archivist might not be needed.

Το

It was agreed that Hong Kong Department would revise the paper,; particularly the initial conclusions, for clearance with PPD, POD and Mr Long. They would also draft a letter, to which PPD/ POD would contribute, under cover of which the draft could be sent to the Governor and Sir R Evans.

3. The likely staffing level of the Consulate-General in Hong Kong in 1997, as assessed after a meeting on 30 April 1985

(copy attached), was briefly re-examined, pending comments still awaited from the Governor in response to the PUS's letters of 7 November and 17 January. It was noted that the post of senior RECEIVED IN REGISTRY HUK

-9 APR 1986 4061

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY

Action Taken

/representative

CONFIDENTIAL