CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
TELNO 306
OF 12164OZ FEBRUARY 91
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CONFIDENTIAL
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YOUR TELNOS 322 AND 407: REFERRALS OF APPOINTMENTS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE
1. WE HAD NOT EXPECTED IT TO BE NECESSARY TO CONSULT STAFF OVER THE PROPOSED REFINEMENTS OF REFERRALS ON DISCIPLINARY MATTERS BECAUSE WE HAD ASSUMED THAT PROPOSALS WOULD NOT BE IN ANY WAY CONTROVERSIAL. IF YOU JUDGE THAT THEY MAY GENERATE CONTROVERSY, WE WONDER WHETHER ON BALANCE IT WOULD BE RIGHT TO PROCEED WITH THEM.
2.
ALTERNATIVELY, YOU MAY CONSIDER ON REFLECTION THAT CONSULTATION WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY, GIVEN THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROPOSED CHANGES, THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY AS OVERALL 'PROTECTOR OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE WOULD BE UNAFFECTED. AND OF COURSE ANY INDIVIDUAL IN THE TERRITORY (INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE) HAVE THE RIGHT TO PETITION THE SECRETARY OF STATE ON ANY MATTER.
3. IN ANY CASE WE WOULD NOT WISH TO PUT ANY PROPOSALS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE UNLESS YOU WERE SURE THAT THEY WOULD BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT COMPLAINT BY THE STAFF CONCERNED.
4.
PENSIONS ORDINANCE CAP 89. WE INTEND TO RETAIN ITEMS (A) AND (B) FOR REFERRAL TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE BECAUSE (AS DISCUSSED DURING OUR NOVEMBER MEETING WITH SHIPLEY) THEY RELATE TO ALL DEPENDENT TERRITORIES, NOT JUST HONG KONG.. WE INTEND TO RETAIN ITEM (E) IN THE VIEW OF ITS FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR HMG.
HURD
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