TNAG-2602-FCO40-3790-Administrative-support-for-Chris-Patten--new-Governor-of-Hon-1992 — Page 109

British official;

SECRET AND PERSONAL

con

anything other than a junior Private Secretary

would have the effect of distancing the Governor from

the Hong Kong administration. The new Governor will

in any case have to work hard to win the active support of the Hong Kong Civil Service. Importing personal staff from London would be deeply resented by the Hong Kong Civil Service, and would damage morale,

A senior grade UK-based Adviser in Government House

would almost inevitably draw power and influence towards him, and could prove to be disruptive

a

influence. This would to some extent be a question of personality, but some tension between such an Adviser and senior Hong Kong civil servants would be

unavoidable (not least when the Chief Secretary was

standing in as Deputy to the Governor during the

latter's absences). The Governor would not be seen locally as fully "representing" Hong Kong. Many would argue that this paved the way for the appointment of a Chinese Commissar from Peking after 1997.

He

A variant on bringing in a UK-based Adviser would be to accelerate the changes already foreseen in the

Political Adviser's role. The PA (a DS 4) could be

brought into Government House as soon as the new Governor arrived, primarily in his existing capacity as the Governor's Adviser on relations with China.

could then discreetly support the Governor as well in

relations with Whitehall. The PA, as an established

figure within the HKG, might be more readily accepted in that role, although there would still be resentment when it became apparent (as it would) that the PA was taking on a wider role as policy adviser to the Governor. It would probably be necessary to bring in another UK-based officer to carry on the PA's existing

functions in the Government Secretariat.

Press Officer.

SUNACZ/5

Not cond enge.