TNAG-2669-FCO40-3866-Hong-Kong-Civil-Service-1993 — Page 298

G.F. 316

SECRET 高度機密

Structure and Staffing

6.

It is impossible now to predict the level of the workload during this time. It could well be heavy and there is

the possibility that crises will occur. Rather than overburden the Office with a large establishment, we suggest instead a flexible structure, staffed by a limited number of personnel selected on the basis of experience, merit and ability rather

than rank. These will have to work as a team under the PA and all be prepared to pitch in as necessary. We anticipate four posts to be adequate, one of which will be the Deputy Political Adviser who will mostly deal with China relations but also head

the office when PA is absent. A support staff of 12, c.f. the chart at Annex A, is envisaged.

Accommodation

7.

We will not fit this team into Government House, which

already houses a large Private Office, but it should be located

close by.

In order that 'British' influence be seen to detach

itself from HKG as we approach 1997, it would probably be best

for the Office to move out of the Secretariat. A suitable

location would be St John's Building, where the Government

Property Administrator has confirmed that, subject to successful

negotiations, the 5th floor could be made available from July

1994 to June 1997.

Communications

8.

The PA's Office will continue to use Government House

communications facilities until these are phased out. As the British Consulate General facilities are phased in, it may be appropriate for the Office to switch to using these.

Timetable

9.

We envisage the following timetable of events:

1 July 1994

Outfitting of accommodation in St John's Building.

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