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as one of top priority for consideration.
11.
Incidentally any changes I may wish to introduce
might be highly relevant to whom I will recommend as
Colonial Secretary. In the light of discussion with
Sir Robert Black and Sir Alex Grantham and Mr Burgess,
all of whom are sympathetic to the idea of reconsidering
the role of the Secretariat, it is clear that I will have
to approach this problem with the greatest care. Not only
is the Colonial Secretariat, as now constituted, the main-
spring of government, but changes might affect, or be
thought to affect, the status of the Colonial Secretary,
and could thus be a matter of great delicacy.
Continuity of office
12. I am concerned with the frequency with which the top
posts are changed due to absences on leave. Sir George Mallaby
told me that in his 4 months in Hong Kong the Administrative
Secretary changed several times. He thought this constant
general post a major factor in delay and inefficiency. He
recommended that when Heads of Departments are temporarily
absent the No. 2 should automatically take over without
reinforcement, and the same should apply in the Secretariat.
Ombudsman
13. The proposal for an Ombudsman has proved a most useful
pace-setter. It was made at a time when there was no well-
tried channel for the ventilation of grievances except
petitions to the Governor and it has stimulated the creation
and expansion of several others. Firstly the Urban District
Officers have got fully into their stride, secondly the ward
/operations
6.
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City