Derek Jones
Encyclopedia
Derek John Claremont Jones, CMG was a British
and Hong Kong
government official and a Senior Fellow of the Trade Policy Research Centre in London
. He originally served in the British civil service
and was posted to the Hong Kong Government in 1971. In Hong Kong, he was the first to hold the post of Secretary for Economic Services under the reform in 1973 and had served as Secretary for the Environment
, Secretary for Transport and Official Legislative Councillor before he was posted to Brussels
serving as Minister for Hong Kong Relations with European Community and Member States in 1982. He subsequently retired from the government in 1986.
, the United Kingdom
on 2 July 1927 and was the eldest son of Albert Claremont Jones and Ethel Lilian Jones (née Hazell). He entered Colston School in Bristol
and received further education in University of Bristol
where he graduated with a BA
degree. He later obtained a BSc
degree with honours in economics
in the London School of Economics and Political Science as well.
from 1946 to 1948 before he joined the British Civil Service
in 1950. He was Economic Assistant in the Economic Section of the Cabinet Office
from 1950 to 1953, a time when Sir Winston Churchill
was still Prime Minister. From 1953 to 1955, he was posted to Paris
serving as Second Secretary in the United Kingdom Delegation to the OEEC and NATO. After that, he returned to the homeland and became Assistant Principal of the Colonial Office
from 1955 to 1957 and was later promoted as Principal of the Office from 1957 to 1966.
When the Colonial Office was abolished in 1966, Jones was transferred to the Commonwealth Office to serve as First Secretary. One year later, he was posted to the United Kingdom Mission in Geneva
and became a Counsellor especially responsible for the trading affairs to Hong Kong.
.
In 1973, the Hong Kong Government, under Governor
Sir Murray MacLehose
(later Lord), reformed its organization according to the recommendations made in the McKinsey Report. A new form of structure, nicknamed "Mini-Cabinet
" by the local newspaper
s, was introduced that six new government posts were rearranged. They were namely the Secretary for Home Affairs
, Secretary for Housing, Secretary for the Environment
, Secretary for Social Services, Secretary for Security
and Secretary for Economic Services. Jones was appointed for the post of Secretary for Economic Services in November 1973, and became the Secretary for the Environment in September 1976. In September 1981, he was appointed as the newly created Secretary for Transport. However, he had served for only a few months before he was posted to Brussels
and served as Minister for Hong Kong Relations with European Community and Member States in early 1982. He was replaced by Peter Tsao
in May 1986 and retired from the government.
When he was Secretary of the Government, Jones was responsible to a number of issues including the construction of Tsuen Wan Line of the MTR
. Besides, he was also an Official Legislative Councillor from 1973 to 1982 and was member of various organizations and public bodies, such as the director of Kowloon Motor Bus
, China Motor Bus
and Hong Kong Industrial Estates Corporation, the chairman of the Advisory Committee on Environmental Protection, Transport Advisory Committee and Special Committee on Land Production and a member of the Oil Policy Committee. Jones was made Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the New Years Honours of 1979 for his public services.
from 1986 to 1990. Following that, he lived a quiet life in retirement. On 4 October 2008, he died peacefully in his sleep, after a short illness, in St Agnes, Cornwall
. He was 81 and was buried in St Agnes Cemetery on 15 October.
, reading
and conversation
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
government official and a Senior Fellow of the Trade Policy Research Centre in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He originally served in the British civil service
British Civil Service
Her Majesty's Home Civil Service, also known as the Home Civil Service, is the permanent bureaucracy of Crown employees that supports Her Majesty's Government - the government of the United Kingdom, composed of a Cabinet of ministers chosen by the prime minister, as well as the devolved...
and was posted to the Hong Kong Government in 1971. In Hong Kong, he was the first to hold the post of Secretary for Economic Services under the reform in 1973 and had served as Secretary for the Environment
Secretary for the Environment
The Secretary for Environment of the Hong Kong Government is responsible for environment protection policy in Hong Kong. The position was created in 2007 to replace portions of the previous portfolio of Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works....
, Secretary for Transport and Official Legislative Councillor before he was posted to Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
serving as Minister for Hong Kong Relations with European Community and Member States in 1982. He subsequently retired from the government in 1986.
Early life
Jones was born in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
on 2 July 1927 and was the eldest son of Albert Claremont Jones and Ethel Lilian Jones (née Hazell). He entered Colston School in Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
and received further education in University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
where he graduated with a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree. He later obtained a BSc
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree with honours in economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
in the London School of Economics and Political Science as well.
British Government
Jones had served in the Royal Air ForceRoyal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
from 1946 to 1948 before he joined the British Civil Service
British Civil Service
Her Majesty's Home Civil Service, also known as the Home Civil Service, is the permanent bureaucracy of Crown employees that supports Her Majesty's Government - the government of the United Kingdom, composed of a Cabinet of ministers chosen by the prime minister, as well as the devolved...
in 1950. He was Economic Assistant in the Economic Section of the Cabinet Office
Cabinet Office
The Cabinet Office is a department of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for supporting the Prime Minister and Cabinet of the United Kingdom....
from 1950 to 1953, a time when Sir Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
was still Prime Minister. From 1953 to 1955, he was posted to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
serving as Second Secretary in the United Kingdom Delegation to the OEEC and NATO. After that, he returned to the homeland and became Assistant Principal of the Colonial Office
Colonial Office
Colonial Office is the government agency which serves to oversee and supervise their colony* Colonial Office - The British Government department* Office of Insular Affairs - the American government agency* Reichskolonialamt - the German Colonial Office...
from 1955 to 1957 and was later promoted as Principal of the Office from 1957 to 1966.
When the Colonial Office was abolished in 1966, Jones was transferred to the Commonwealth Office to serve as First Secretary. One year later, he was posted to the United Kingdom Mission in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
and became a Counsellor especially responsible for the trading affairs to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Government
In 1971, Jones was transferred to the Hong Kong government and became Deputy Economic Secretary under the Economic Services Branch of the Colonial SecretariatGovernment Secretariat (Hong Kong)
The Government Secretariat is collectively formed by the Offices of the Chief Secretary and the Financial Secretary and twelve policy bureaux....
.
In 1973, the Hong Kong Government, under Governor
Governor of Hong Kong
The Governor of Hong Kong was the head of the government of Hong Kong during British rule from 1843 to 1997. The governor's roles were defined in the Hong Kong Letters Patent and Royal Instructions...
Sir Murray MacLehose
Murray MacLehose, Baron MacLehose of Beoch
Crawford Murray MacLehose, Baron MacLehose of Beoch, KT, GBE, KCMG, KCVO, DL was the 25th Governor of Hong Kong, from 1971 to 1982.-Early life and career:Murray MacLehose was born in Glasgow, Scotland in October 1917...
(later Lord), reformed its organization according to the recommendations made in the McKinsey Report. A new form of structure, nicknamed "Mini-Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
" by the local newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
s, was introduced that six new government posts were rearranged. They were namely the Secretary for Home Affairs
Secretary for Home Affairs
The Secretary for Home Affairs is the head of the Home Affairs Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong, which is responsible for local issues, and the provision of community, leisure, and cultural services.-List of office holders:*Donald Luddington 1971-1973...
, Secretary for Housing, Secretary for the Environment
Secretary for the Environment
The Secretary for Environment of the Hong Kong Government is responsible for environment protection policy in Hong Kong. The position was created in 2007 to replace portions of the previous portfolio of Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works....
, Secretary for Social Services, Secretary for Security
Secretary for Security
The Secretary for Security is the member of the Hong Kong Government in charge of the Security Bureau, which is responsible for public safety, security, and immigration matters....
and Secretary for Economic Services. Jones was appointed for the post of Secretary for Economic Services in November 1973, and became the Secretary for the Environment in September 1976. In September 1981, he was appointed as the newly created Secretary for Transport. However, he had served for only a few months before he was posted to Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
and served as Minister for Hong Kong Relations with European Community and Member States in early 1982. He was replaced by Peter Tsao
Peter Tsao
Peter Tsao Kwang-yung, CBE was a career civil servant of Hong Kong. Tsao was Secretary for Administrative Services and Information and Secretary for Home Affairs of colonial Hong Kong Government from 1985 to 1991...
in May 1986 and retired from the government.
When he was Secretary of the Government, Jones was responsible to a number of issues including the construction of Tsuen Wan Line of the MTR
MTR
Mass Transit Railway is the rapid transit railway system in Hong Kong. Originally opened in 1979, the system now includes 211.6 km of rail with 155 stations, including 86 railway stations and 69 light rail stops...
. Besides, he was also an Official Legislative Councillor from 1973 to 1982 and was member of various organizations and public bodies, such as the director of Kowloon Motor Bus
Kowloon Motor Bus
The Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited , a company of the Transport International Holdings Limited, is the largest franchised bus operators in Hong Kong, and one of the largest privately owned public bus operators in the world...
, China Motor Bus
China Motor Bus
China Motor Bus Company Ltd. , often abbreviated as CMB, was the first motor bus company in Hong Kong, and was responsible for the introduction of double-decker buses to Hong Kong Island....
and Hong Kong Industrial Estates Corporation, the chairman of the Advisory Committee on Environmental Protection, Transport Advisory Committee and Special Committee on Land Production and a member of the Oil Policy Committee. Jones was made Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the New Years Honours of 1979 for his public services.
| colspan="2" style="background: #CFCFCF; text-align: center" Major experience | |
|---|---|
Later years
Jones was a Senior Fellow of the Trade Policy Research Centre in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
from 1986 to 1990. Following that, he lived a quiet life in retirement. On 4 October 2008, he died peacefully in his sleep, after a short illness, in St Agnes, Cornwall
St Agnes, Cornwall
St Agnes is a civil parish and a large village on the north coast of Cornwall, United Kingdom. The village is situated approximately five miles north of Redruth and ten miles southwest of Newquay....
. He was 81 and was buried in St Agnes Cemetery on 15 October.
Family
Jones had two marriages. He married Jean Cynthia Withams firstly in 1951. The couple had one son and two daughters. He married Kay Cecile Thewlis in his second marriage in 1970 and they had one son. Jones interests included travelTravel
Travel is the movement of people or objects between relatively distant geographical locations. 'Travel' can also include relatively short stays between successive movements.-Etymology:...
, reading
Reading (process)
Reading is a complex cognitive process of decoding symbols for the intention of constructing or deriving meaning . It is a means of language acquisition, of communication, and of sharing information and ideas...
and conversation
Conversation
Conversation is a form of interactive, spontaneous communication between two or more people who are following rules of etiquette.Conversation analysis is a branch of sociology which studies the structure and organization of human interaction, with a more specific focus on conversational...
.
Conferment
- Justice of the PeaceJustice of the PeaceA justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
(official http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr80-81/english/lc_sitg/hansard/h810107.pdf) - Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG), 1979 New Year HonoursNew Year HonoursThe New Year Honours is a part of the British honours system, being a civic occasion on the New Year annually in which new members of most Commonwealth Realms honours are named. The awards are presented by the reigning monarch or head of state, currently Queen Elizabeth II...
)
See also
- Cabinet OfficeCabinet OfficeThe Cabinet Office is a department of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for supporting the Prime Minister and Cabinet of the United Kingdom....
- Colonial OfficeColonial OfficeColonial Office is the government agency which serves to oversee and supervise their colony* Colonial Office - The British Government department* Office of Insular Affairs - the American government agency* Reichskolonialamt - the German Colonial Office...
- Commonwealth Office
- Hong Kong Government