STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
RESTRICTED
- 7 -
could at most cover 5 further posts. This gives a total of 36 postings from established sources. We might add, on past experience, about 3 from other sources, one each from (c), (d) and (e) in paragraph 10 above, to give an overall figure of 39.
The Gap
12. As can be seen from the above, the shortfall between available resources and the requirement for the 10-year period 1981-1990 is 21 (60 less 39). The gap will be mainly in Grade 4 since some of the Grade 5 jobs will still need to be filled on contract being of a some- what specialist nature (e.g. Financial Secretary); they are also 'the post most vulnerable to localisation.
Filling the Gap
•
13. Early steps should be taken to prepare Diplomatic Service officers without HMOCS experience with a view to filling Governor and Deputy slots from 1982 onwards. The process of staffing Dependent Territory slots exclusively from the ranks of the Diplomatic Service should. however, be a gradual one. Both for the sake of good administration and of the officers concerned, we should use, wherever possible, existing HMOCS and ex-HMOCS talent.
Possible Need for Adviser
14.
Governors would, of course, have adequate preparation before their postings, but there may be areas, particularly for a Governor with a mainly DS background, which it has not been possible to cover and which are shown up in the course of the tour. It would, therefore, be helpful to have an adviser (probably an experienced former Governor) who could on a part-time basis give advice to FCO Departments and Governors, and occasionally visit a territory if need be. This would not displace the relationship between the Governor and the FCO but supplement it.
Possible Absorption of HMOCS Officers in Diplomatic Service
15. In view of the small numbers involved, we are considering whether the remaining HMOCS and ex-HMOCS officers under 55 at the end of 1981 and currently serving in Dependent Territories (see Annex B) should be transferred into the Diplomatic Service if considered suitable by the appropriate Selection Board. The costs falling on Her Majesty's Government would be as now, namely OSAS supplementation and topping-up;
RESTRICTED
-
STAFF IN CONFIDENCE