TNAG-2602-FCO40-3790-Administrative-support-for-Chris-Patten--new-Governor-of-Hon-1992 — Page 112

SECRET AND PERSONAL

terms of the Joint Declaration this office is intended to be

an organ for liaison with China on the future of Hong Kong not an organ of power in Hong Kong. The JLG is to play no part in the administration of Hong Kong nor is to have any supervisory role over the administration. Its members are only to conduct activities within the scope of their JLG functions. While we can stretch this at the margins, it would not be possible to bring any of the JLG staff into Government House on a permanent basis.

Financial Aspects

12. If new posts are to be created on the Governor's

staff, and paid for by the Hong Kong Government, the

approval of the LegCo Finance Committee will be required. LegCo might not jib at paying for one mid-ranking official,

but they might well refuse to fund a senior official and/or

a Cabinet. If one of those options were selected, we should

therefore plan on the basis of paying for the officer(s)

concerned. A DS 4 would cost around £150,000. A Senior

Grade officer would cost around £200,000. There would be

support staff and possible office accommodation costs.

Hong Kong Department

3 February 1992

SUNACZ/8

SECRET AND PERSONAL