RESTRICTED AND STRICTLY PERSONAL
(c)
(ii) as regards functionally elected seats, he wanted to be sure that the process was democratic and seen to be so. He would like to see established and agreed rolls for each functional constituency;
(iii) as regards nominated seats, he would like to have briefing on the dates and timing of the expiry of existing nominees. He did not necessarily wish to overthrow existing arrangements at once but would want to consider the whole question (and timing) of replacements;
(iv)
Legle
he was also keen to see a change in the relationship with Executive and Legislature. He had been pondering how to make the former more responsive, and indeed accountable to the latter. One idea was to establish the custom of Governor's Question Time in LEGCO;
(y) he also wanted to look at existing "bars" to membership of EXCO and explained that he meant the requirements to accept confidentiality and collective reponsibility.
I said that there would be briefing on all these points. I also added that we would have to consider carefully the question of a UK-based support team for a new Governor, explaining the background to the relationship between the Governor and the Hong Kong Civil Service. Mr Kaufman said that this was a matter which would have to be discussed with the Governor-designate in due course.
Mr Kaufman asked whether we would re-open the Embassy in Kabul. I said that this was currently under consideration. But we needed to think carefully about staffing both level and numbers. We had an
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excellent compound. Perhaps we could share this with another European partner".
MARABD
Sir John Coles
RESTRICTED AND STRICTLY PERSONAL
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