0003230
G.F. 323
CONFIDENTIAL
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be either indirectly imported, or it could be supplied by direct We have a franchise and can cope with the mechanics of
elections.
a simple public election. All that is necessary from the administrative
point of view is a second or a third or a fourth ballot paper
of a different colour.
21.
This type of election to specialised bodies is not found in
England but is common in America. Candidates might be the same but
there would be scope for specialisation. The subjects suitable for
this treatment are discussed below but it would not be difficult to
find a more interesting collection than the group handled by the
Urban Council.
22. The question of delegating financial powers to such bodies
would no doubt be a legitimate one although I have misgivings about
the efficiency of such an arrangement and about its additional cost.
To take the Urban Council as an example I should have thought it would
be preferable to give them in round figures, before they consider
their Estimates, the extent of the resources likely to be available
in the next financial year for the capital and recurrent cost of the
services with which they are concerned, rather than to burden them
with the mechanics of financial control. The present Social Welfare
Advisory Committee already exercises, as I understand it, a predominant
influence on the division between bidders of the funds available for
the social welfare subventions without being saddled with any of the
financial apparatus.
23. Turning to the question of fields of activity which might be suitable for the new treatment proposed, of the 94 Councils, Boards, Committees, etc. existing at the end of 1968 only a few will be worth considering. Among the more obvious appear to be :-
a) Board of Education
b) Labour Advisory Board
c) Medical Advisory Board
d) Social Welfare Advisory Committee
/e)