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Wednesday, May 23, 1973
Lands and Defence Branches would become Environment and Security
respectively, but with more functions.
The responsibilities of the two resource branches, Finance and
Establishment, should remain largely as at present, the report says, except that
the non-financial aspects of water and the complementing and grading function
should be transferred from Finance to Environment and Establishment Branches
respectively later on.
The minor branches and units would also continue as they are, but
some functions would be transferred from Councils Branch and a small Management
Unit responsible to the Deputy Colonial Secretary would be formed.
It is also recommended that the levels of the principal branch head
posts be raised so that the heads of these branches would have sufficient
authority to plan and control their own programmes and to ensure that they
are effectively coordinated and implemented.
The consultants suggest that on the whole the best solution would
be to place the principal branch heads at the same level as first grade heads
of departments, with two exceptions.
One is the Secretary for Home Affairs who should romain at a
higher level so as to reflect his existing and future position as an ex-officio
member of the Executive Council and his traditional role in the community.
Under the new proposals he would also assume the responsibilities of the Secretary
of Information.
The other