TNAG-2602-FCO40-3790-Administrative-support-for-Chris-Patten--new-Governor-of-Hon-1992 — Page 57

ARGUMENT

CONFIDENTIAL AND STRICTLY PERSONAL

3.

This is a difficult question. While it may seem a smallish matter to us in London any new arrangement for staff in Hong Kong will be highly sensitive, will be hotly debated and could saddle the new Governor with substantial

difficulties at the outset.

4.

On the assumption that the new Governor is a politician, with little or no experience of Hong Kong/China, he is likely to need some support staff over and above the existing private office staffed by Hong Kong Government officials on which recent Governors, appointed from the Diplomatic Service, have depended.

ROLE OF THE NEW GOVERNOR

5.

The nature of support staff required depends on the role which Ministers wish the new Governor to play.

Lord

Wilson has recently sent a job description (Annex A) which shows how the role is currently performed. For the future there are perhaps two broad alternatives.

6.

First, the Governor could continue to implement

existing policy. For about a decade the aim has been to

build up the confidence and self-reliance of the Hong Kong Administration and to respect the autonomy in economic and financial policy of the government of Hong Kong. This autonomy is partly a matter of practice, partly of law in that the Hong Kong Government has been formally entrusted by HMG to conduct e.g. economic and commercial negotiations on its own behalf. The continuation of Hong Kong's autonomy in these fields after 1997 is recognised in the Joint

Declaration.

MARACE/2

17.

CONFIDENTIAL AND STRICTLY PERSONAL