TNAG-2192-FCO40-3129-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-1990 — Page 12

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that 50% of LECS could be replaced relatively easily by

privatisation of catering and cleaning functions. It would also be

possible to replace LEPs with staff from the UK but this would be

expensive.

British Council and the British Trade Commission

9. The British Council have just over 60 staff in Hong Kong and

have been lobbying hard for an allocation under the package. Now that the eligible categories have been pruned back, the majority

have no category under which to apply. The locally engaged staff of

the BTC, PSA and GCHQ are also similarly disqualified. Unlike the

locally engaged staff of the Garrison, the British Council and BTC

will continue to be needed after 1997 and it is important to ensure

that they can retain their key staff. Provision for them could be

made under the special residual category and/or under the Approved

Secondment Scheme (the latter only feasible for the British

Council). The Americans, and possibly others will be catering for

key consular-general staff in this way. We could be criticised if

we do nothing for our people.

KIPACP (9)

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