TNAG-2602-FCO40-3790-Administrative-support-for-Chris-Patten--new-Governor-of-Hon-1992 — Page 19

CONFIDENTIAL

STAFF IN CONFIDENCE

3.

Mr Patten does not want to define their functions in

detail before he gets to Hong Kong. I think he sees

Mr Dinham as someone with both good Civil Service experience and political nous who can make contacts that it will not be easy for the Governor himself to make. Mr Llewellyn will be

used partly as a speechwriter.

4.

The plan is that they should be on the staff at

Government House and paid for by the Hong Kong Government.

Lord Wilson and the Chief Secretary agree with this. The approval of LEGCO's Finance Committee will be needed for (b) above since a new post will be created for Mr Llewellyn. But there is a post already available for Mr Dinham.

5.

As regards the question of a Senior Diplomatic Adviser. Mr Patten plans to wait until he has got to

Hong Kong and has had a chance to meet Mr Galsworthy and

Mr Ehrman. He will then decide whether or not to change the

existing arrangements.

6.

Mr Patten thinks it desirable that an announcement

should be made about the appointments soon to bring to an

end the press speculation (mainly in Hong Kong). We are aiming to do this towards the end of next week.

7.

I am consulting Lord Wilson about the terms of an

announcement. But I shall be away in Cambodia and perhaps

Bangkok for a week from tomorrow. In my absence

PS/Mr Patten will handle the matter of an announcement and

will let the Private Office have the agreed text.

MAYABS/2

CONFIDENTIAL

Sir John Coles

STAFF IN CONFIDENCE