TNAG-2602-FCO40-3790-Administrative-support-for-Chris-Patten--new-Governor-of-Hon-1992 — Page 80

The Options

SECRET AND PERSONAL

10.

There are three broad options:

(i) No change. The new Governor would rely on the

existing support provided by the Hong Kong administration working through the Chief Secretary,

and a Private Office staff drawn from the Hong Kong

Civil Service. The Political Adviser would remain the

link for certain "UK eyes A" material, and for advice

on relations with China. The pros and cons are as

follows:

pro no disruption to the system. The Governor

would be seen from the outset to be relying on the

Hong Kong administration for the full range of his

dealings with London and with China. This would

minimise the impression of London "taking over";

con The new Governor would be entirely in the

hands of his Hong Kong administration. Ministers

would need to accept that when they sought the

Governor's advice, this would in almost all cases be

drafted by Hong Kong civil servants (except in the case of relations with China, where the Political Adviser could be involved). It might however be possible to ensure that one of the Governor's Private

Secretaries had had previous experience as a seconded

officer in the FCO and hence would be familiar with

FCO telegram practice.

MAIAAT/5

SECRET AND PERSONAL

/(ii)