Mr Potter Inspectorate
Reference HKPF/STRONG JC
1. We spoke this morning about Mr Strong's recent letter
about his allowances as Governor of the Turks & Caicos
Islands. I am attach a copy of the letter for
information. I feel that it would be extremely valuable
for Grand Turk to be included in an Inspection tour as soon as is practical presumably not now before 1980. There are two DS officers there at present: Mr Strong (DS4)
and his PA (S2).
2.
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It would be useful if I might indicate in our reply to Mr Strong when the Inspection might be likely to take place.
28 December 1978
N F GREEN
Hong Kong & General Dept
K270
233.4475
Mr Purdom, PSD
Although not all of Mr Strong's complaints may be valid I suspect on the basis of the Falklands precedent - that he may well be right about allowances in general, and the entertainment provision in particular, being pitched too low.
2. We have no record of any previous inspection of the Post. I assume that the FSA was probably set by the CSD, but can you please have this checked. If this was the case how, I wonder, was the entertainment provision assessed?
3. The Turks and Caicos Islands are not included in the future programme of inspections and they clearly should be fitted in when this can be arranged. But it will probably not be possible for this to be done for some time and the question is whether a special inspection will be necessary in order to resolve the issue of allowances and the other matter raised by Mr Strong.
4. Could we please have your views on this. Would it be possible for any reassessment of allowances to be made in London or would an on the spot assessment be essential? I suspect that the CSD will ingaston a visit, but we would have to inform them and we might well Thd that they will insist on doing the inspection themselves. we. I wonder, been getting periodic cost of living returns form the Post?
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5. I am sending a copy of this minute and enclsures to Mr Lomas in A and SD with the request that he let us know whether in principle it would be possible for any deficiencies in residential accommodation to be made good by the FCO and, if this can be done, whether in
/practice..