TNAG-2396-FCO40-3483-Hong-Kong-Civil-Service-policy-1992 — Page 184

DRAFT

1 May 1992

CONFIDENTIAL

J H Holroyd Esq First Commissioner Cabinet Office

Office of the Minister for the Civil Service

Horse Guards Road

London SW1P 3AL

CIVIL SERVICE NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

Following the meeting you chaired on 28 April, we have discussed points raised at the meeting within the FCO, with the NIO and with Peter Small, NICS. The FCO are concerned at the problems which will arise in defending any change of policy with the Irish, our other EC partners, and Commonwealth countries. Land the European Commission,

You may find it helpful to have confirmation of the FCO's views (already expressed orally in earlier discussions) about the EC, Irish and Commonwealth dimensions before you circulate a new draft for an EOM paper around Departments.

We are at one with OCSC that the present situation is unsustainable and requires change. We also accept that there are good reasons for retaining sensitive posts within the Civil Service as "public service" posts. But we believe it is desirable to be as liberal as possible in future recruitment procedures in order:

to diminish the risk of challenge

ID3175

CONFIDENTIAL