TNAG-2877-FCO40-4149-Future-of-Hong-Kong-adaptation-of-laws-1993 — Page 37

GOVERMENT HOUSE HONG KONG.

FRI 12 NOV 93 68:20

PG.08

Annex 'I'

CONFIDENTIAL

LASG Paper 22/93

Adaptation of Laws - Crown Agents

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Crown Agents were first established in 1833 by the

Secretary of State for the Colonies, then Mr. Stanley, later the

Earl of Derby, to act as agents for the procurement of goods and

services for colonial Administrations. At that time, the Crown

Agents formed párt of the general machinery of Crown Colony

government and were necessarily subject to the instructions of the

Secretary of State. They were

were allowed,

allowed, especially in financial

matters, considerable discretion in transacting a Colony's business.

2.

Thereafter there was a gradual change in their

constitutional role as a result of the emergence of self-government

in a number of colonies. The Secretary of State for the Colonies

distanced himself from the Crown Agents, who would receive their

instructions direct from the colonial governments.

Queen approved the change of name from "Crown

Colonies" to the "Crown Agents for Oversea

Administrations".

In 1954, the

Agents for the

Governments and

3.

Colonies

In 1966 the post of the Secretary of State for the

was absorbed into the Commonwealth office. In October

1968, the Commonwealth Office further merged with the Foreign

Office. A new era began for the Crown Agents. They were appointed

CANETACHTIN