ENG-1973 — Page 289

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

Colonial Secretariat

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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, the Colonial Secretariat, is under the general direction of the Deputy Colonial Secretary and co-ordinates and supervises the work of all govern- ment departments.

The Financial Secretary is responsible for financial and economic policy and for overall supervision, through his Deputy Financial Secretary and the Secretary for Economic Services, of departments primarily involved in this field.

Following a major reorganisation of the central government machinery under- taken in 1972-3, the Colonial Secretariat is now organised into six policy and two resource branches, each headed by a Secretary. The policy branches are based on programme areas-environment, economic services, home affairs and information, housing, security, and social services. The two resource branches (civil service and finance) deal with the government's personnel and finances. A Political Adviser, seconded from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, advises on the external political aspects of government policies.

London Office

The London Office, at 6 Grafton Street, Mayfair, is a projection of the Hong Kong Government in London, and as such forms part of the Colonial Secretariat, with the Commissioner directly responsible to the Colonial Secretary. The Commis- sioner provides a point of direct contact in London between Hong Kong and various ministries and departments of the British Government.

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 of the likely repercussions of these developments on Hong Kong. It is concerned with the welfare of Hong Kong residents in Britain, maintains 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 operates well- developed publicity services aimed at projecting Hong Kong's image to the British public and the Chinese community in Britain. It also has special sections to look after the interests of Hong Kong students, including nurses and government trainees, resident in Britain. An appointments section was set up in 1973 to recruit persons of Hong Kong origin in the United Kingdom to the public service and to liaise with various official agencies in Britain concerned with recruiting expatriate staff.

Government Departments

The administrative functions of the government are discharged by more than 30 departments, most of which are organised on a functional basis and have responsibili- ties covering all Hong Kong. This form of organisation, rather than one based on authorities with responsibilities in a limited geographical area, is suitable for this