TNAG-2602-FCO40-3790-Administrative-support-for-Chris-Patten--new-Governor-of-Hon-1992 — Page 61

CONFIDENTIAL AND STRICTLY PERSONAL

17.

Second, at the other extreme, the Governor could

arrive with a team of UK staff, a kind of "Cabinet" on the European model. Something like this might be seen as necessary if Ministers had decided to impose a policy of tighter control of Hong Kong. It would undoubtedly arouse strong resentment and opposition in Hong Kong. It seems to me more than likely that LEGCO would decline to finance the

new posts and that HMG could therefore have to foot the

large bill.

18.

But in my view there are more fundamental objections. I think it an illusion to believe that the provision of a "Cabinet" would enable the Governor to exercise tighter control. As pointed out above, the Hong Kong Administration is large (180,000 Civil Servants). To control a machine of that size something more like our Cabinet Office would be needed. A "Cabinet" would be likely to create the impression of a Governor isolated within a laager in Government house whereas, in my view, the real need is for him to work with the Administration and with EXCO and

LEGCO

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if Hong Kong is to prosper. Hong Kong cannot run efficiently without an efficient and cooperative Civil Service. I believe we would regret setting up a system which increased the isolation of the Governor from the Administration and damaged Civil Service morale.

19.

An alternative form of "Cabinet" would be one composed partly of UK-based officials and partly of people selected from the Hong Kong administration. This would be more acceptable in Hong Kong and might not run into the same

MARACE/6

CONFIDENTIAL AND STRICTLY PERSONAL

/financing