Sir John Cowperthwaite 1915-2006
Sir John Cowperthwaite, the former financial secretary credited with launching Hong Kong's economic success by introducing laissez-faire government, has died in Scotland.
Sir John, 90, who served as financial secretary for 10 years until 1971, died at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee on Saturday. He is survived by his wife, Sheila.
The couple's only child, Hamish, was murdered in the Philippines last year.
Sir David Akers-Jones, the former chief secretary who worked with Sir John for many years, last night described him as a towering figure in the administration.
'He was a mixture of friendliness and austerity, a wonderful mixture,' he said. 'He was quite a hard taskmaster and always asked very penetrating questions. He did not like shoddy work. He also had a friendly side and had very many friends in the community.'
He said Sir John had very strong ideas on allowing market forces to have their play.