TNAG-2662-FCO40-3858-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-1992 — Page 42

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previously carried out by HKID may mean that they will require

less staff. If so we should certainly look at offering

experienced locally engaged staff positions, on a selective

basis. HKID have been told, and they have accepted, that the

more senior posts of Entry Clearance Offices would have to be

filled by UK based staff. But MVD are now considering the issues again. The HK Consultative Committee have asked for

early discussion of the issues.

8.

The immigration section would be rather less labour

intensive than passport section, requiring some 16 UK based

and 32 locally engaged staff members, as distinct from 4 UK

and 155 locally engaged staff. But, according to the SOR for

the new building, the space requirements for immigration

section visa would still amount to some 6400 sq feet

(including public waiting areas). It would therefore prove an

expensive business to consider taking on immigration work before the new building is completed. This suggests that we

should plan to take on visa work as soon as the new building

is operational, say in mid 1996.

Commercial/Economic Work

9. Commercial and economic work currently involve 60% of the

Senior Trade Commissioner's time, one DS7, two LEIS and 3.5

LEIIIS. The schedule of requirements for the Consulate General envisages in addition one DS5, one DS7, One LEI, one

LEI (Southern China) 4 LEIIIs and one LEIV. In the current

financial year Mr Day is looking to recruit a locally engaged

commercial officer, at LEI. The Chairman of the British

Overseas Trade Board had expressed keen interest in reinforcing the Trade Commission as soon as possible. The PUS said in his letter to Sir Derek Hornby of 4 March, that he

would want Mr Day to address the needs on the

commercial/economic front as soon as he takes over the post of

brief.consgen.BTC

JEB

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