THE Political Adviser's Office is expanding rapidly as the British withdrawal from the territory draws nearer.
Michael Waters, formerly a principal assistant secretary in the Civil Service, became the third deputy political adviser last week, only months after the second deputy political adviser post was created.
In July, it was announced John Shannon, a principal assistant secretary for security, had been made the second deputy political adviser.
A government spokesman said: 'Mr Waters will primarily be handling matters concerning Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service [HMOCS], which is what he has been doing in Civil Service Branch.
'The redeployment takes into account the fact that HMOCS is related to the British Government and is something to be dealt with before mid-1997.' The spokesman said the redeployment was temporary.
Prospective legislator Cheung Man-kwong of the Democratic Party said he believed the move was out of political rather than practical needs.
He said he thought the transfer was deliberately timed to take place during the election period when no legislators would be around to question it.
