SECTION 3: POLITICAL
ADMIN IN CONFIDENCE
I agree with the general conclusions of this section, though not with some of the argument.
1.
2. So far as the loading of the DS7 post is concerned, I would not accept that it was as low as 70%. Although there have been some fluctuations, there have been lengthy periods this autumn when the DS7 has been fully loaded and perhaps slightly overloaded. I have commented in the Ideal Establishment Section on the correct level for this post.
3.
On tour length I think that it would in many cases make sense to go for a single tour of 2 years. If, as I expect, we are dealing with a newly qualified language student, he will already have spent one year in Hong Kong. A tour of 2 years would make a convenient posting of 3 years.
4.
On the content of the work, I would not accept the suggestion that much of the work is "on predetermined lines, not intellectually very stimulating". A notable feature of work on Hong Kong is that it is different from the normal run of political work in the Diplomatic Service. It requires more original thought because it is the formation of policy, more akin to a Home Civil Service policy role and not reaction to and analysis of other people's policy. I have tried to encourage the present incumbent to increase the extent of his original thinking in the various areas of policy which he has been dealing with and latterly there have been some signs that he is doing so. There is wide scope for originality and initiative.
5.
I found the argument on the DS4 post the least satisfactory part of this report, though I am quite clear that the conclusion reached, that the DS4 post should be retained, is correct. view the job now has sufficient loading to compare with the average of DS4 posts outside the UK. It is, however, a specialist post, so that the content of the work is rather different and more narrowly focussed. The importance and political sensitivity of some of the work is higher than a great many DS4s would meet at any stage in their postings. For instance, when taking charge of the Defence and Public Order expert talks with the Chinese, the DS4 is in a very high profile public role here.
ADMIN IN CONFIDENCE
/6.
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