TNAG-2602-FCO40-3790-Administrative-support-for-Chris-Patten--new-Governor-of-Hon-1992 — Page 110

SECRET AND PERSONAL

(iii) A full scale Cabinet on the European model. The

Governor would bring a number of people with him, including a senior official, a Private Secretary, a

Press Secretary and perhaps a Party Political Adviser

and others. They would displace much of the

present Private Office but also act as a policy staff to the Governor, filtering advice from the Hong Kong

administration and dealing with relations with London.

-

pro if it worked, this would give the Governor a source of advice separate from the Hong Kong Civil Service, and give him one or more senior confidants

who could share the burden with the Governor of

keeping in touch with a wider range of opinion formers and community leaders.

con all those in the previous option but more so.

The result would be to isolate the Governor and his

team in Government House, and to disrupt the working 7 of the Hong Kong administration to the point where effective Government could be jeopardised. The Civil ? Service might begin to look towards China.

One means of mitigating the disruptive effect of

importing UK-based staff to support the Governor would be to adopt a gradual approach. The Governor would go

out to Hong Kong without support staff and inherit the

existing arrangements. He could then assess his needs for himself and introduce any changes gradually. Against that, the first few months are likely to be

the crucial time for the Governor to establish

himself. It could be the period when he most needs help from advisers who understand the mechanics of dealing with the FCO and have an understanding of Sino-British

relations.

SUNACZ/6

SECRET AND PERSONAL