ENG-1972 — Page 286

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

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Government. Hong Kong's dependence on trade makes it necessary for the Hong Kong Government to maintain offices in London, Washington, Geneva and Brussels whose function is to maintain and improve commercial relations with other countries.

Colonial Secretariat

The Colonial Secretary is the Governor's principal adviser on policy, the chief executive of the government, the head of the civil service and the chief government spokesman. His office (known as the Colonial Secretariat) is under the general direction of the Deputy Colonial Secretary and co-ordinates and supervises the work of all government departments.

The Financial Secretary is responsible for financial and economic policy and for the overall supervision through his Deputy Financial Secretary and Deputy Economic Secretary of departments primarily involved in this field. The Establishment Secretary deals with personnel matters; the Defence Secretary advises on defence and internal security, co-ordinates the work of the local forces and auxiliary services and maintains liaison with the police and Her Majesty's armed forces stationed in Hong Kong.

A Political Adviser seconded from the Foreign Office advises on the external political aspects of government policies.

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Principal Assistant or Assistant Colonial Secretaries head the other main branches of the Secretariat, dealing with general matters, social services, buildings and lands, councils and legal matters.

London Office

The London Office is a projection of the Hong Kong Government in London, and as such it forms part of the Colonial Secretariat with the Commissioner-his title was changed in March 1972-being directly responsible to the Colonial Secretary. The Commissioner provides a point of direct contact in London between Hong Kong and various ministries and departments of the British Government.

In October 1972 the office moved from 53-54 Pall Mall to new accommodation at 6 Grafton Street, London W1. The entire building has been leased by the Hong Kong Government for a period of 32 years. The move became necessary because of the continuing expansion of the London Office and the services it provides on behalf of the Hong Kong Government and the people of Hong Kong.

The London Office keeps British commercial, economic and industrial develop- ments and official thinking on worldwide trade policies under review and advises the Hong Kong Government on the likely repercussions of these developments on Hong Kong. It also keeps under review the needs of Hong Kong residents in Britain, main- tains contact with them and assists them over problems arising from their residence in Britain or relating to their families and interests in Hong Kong. It also operates well-developed publicity services aimed at projecting Hong Kong's image to the British public and the Chinese community in Britain; with special sections to look after the interests of Hong Kong students, including nurses and government trainees resident in Britain.