PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
there was a central point of reference for advice on colonial
This was of particular importance in the run up
procedures.
to independence.
Mr Deare said there was no central point,
but that HKGD could deal with general questions while WIAD or
MCD could be consulted on matters specific to particular
Caribbean territories. Research Department and Nationality
and Treaty Department could also be of assistance in answering
questions concerning Belize's progress to independence. The desk
officer in MCD should be consulted in the first instance.
->Item 7: Futive
Future Staffing Needs of the Dependencies
32. Mr Morrice introduced this paper which had been approved Stepping
by the Chief Clerk. If Governors wished to add their comments
these would be welcomed.
33.
The recommendations at paragraph 19 of the paper were
considered seriatim.
(i)
Sub-para (a) was agreed. Mr Russell, supported by
Mr Strong, observed that the standard diplomatic
service tour of duty of three years was rather
short. The HMOCS tour of 5 years for Governors was
preferable and gave Governors a greater working span.
A longer tour would also decrease manning requirements.
Mr Morrice agreed but noted that it would be
difficult with a 5-year tour to recruit for some
territories. In practice most Governors stay on
for more than three years anyway. Mr Deare
observed that an increase in length of tour would
not affect the manpower gap in terms of man years.
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13
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(ii)