TNAG-2435-FCO40-3537-Hong-Kong-Her-Majesty-s-Overseas-Civil-Service-(HMOCS)-secur-1992 — Page 95

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Mr Beamish

A

STAFF/MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE

From:

V E Sutherland

Date:

18 August 1992

Copies to: PS/PUS

Mr Hum

Mr Greenstock

Mr Baker WIAD

Mr Ricketts, Hong Kong Dept

HMOCS: POSTS IN OTHER DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

1. Clerk.

2.

Thank you for your minute of 3 August to the Chief

As you know, we have been approached by the HMOCS Association both directly, and through Lord Wilson, when Governor, to try to ensure that their members should have prior claim for consideration for posts arising in the Dependent Territories. HMOCS take the view that, in terms

of the 1960 White Paper and other commitments by HMG to HMOCS, they are justified in expecting to be considered for such posts before anybody else.

3.

We are intent on establishing a cadre of Diplomatic Service officers with expertise in Dependent Territories' work to fill these posts. The policy has been endorsed by Ministers. We have also to bear in mind our political obligations vis-à-vis Hong Kong Civil Servants and at least give fair consideration to any applications for Dependent Territories' appointments received from members of the HMOCS. All such bids, together with those from DS candidates, would need to be judged on their merits and against the background of the operational requirements of the posts concerned. But our first priority must be to staff Dependent Territory posts with suitable DS candidates when these are available. think the penultimate sentence of the PUS' letter preserves that principle. I interpret an "equal basis" to mean that HMOCS applicants will be looked at carefully alongside DS candidates, not that we regard our obligations to post them to Dependent Territories' appointments as equal to that of placing DS officers in these difficult and demanding posts.

k.s.

I

VE Sutherland

STAFF/MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE