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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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(b) On the motion of Mr. Wiseman, seconded by Mr. Fiddian, the Council resolved" that an addition be made to the Terms of Reference of the Special Com- mittee on the Staffing and Organization of the Department of the clause (4) That the Committee be empowered to add to its members from time to time for the con- sideration of questions affecting grades not directly represented on the Committee.''

6. The minutes of

(a) The Assistant Clerks' Grade Committee (First and Second Meetings), (b) The Temporary Clerks' Grade Committee (First Meeting),

The Refreshment Committee (First Meeting)

were communicated to the Council. In this connexion it was agreed that the formal laying of minutes did not commit the Council to acceptance of any recommendations which they might contain; any such recommendations should be brought before the Council in the form of a definite motion.

7. In moving the adoption of the First Report of the Registration Committee, Mr. Fiddian said that the Record Office had been approached with a view to the transfer of a further quantity of records from the Colonial Office, and that satisfac- tory arrangements were being made. Mr. Pughe seconded the motion, and the Council agreed to the adoption of the Report.

8. The Chairman stated that further considération had been given to the resolution "That it is desirable that a definite hour should be fixed after which the office should be regarded as closed," and communicated to the Council regulations which had been drawn up to give effect to it. Mr. Pughe stated that these regula- tions would meet the wishes of the movers of the resolution.

9. On the motion of Mr. Wiseman, seconded by Mr. Eggett, the Council agreed to the appointment of a Grade Committee for the First Division Clerks in the Colonial Office. The following were nominated to be members of the Committee:--

Mr. Fiddian Official representatives.

Mr. Flood

Mr. E. J. Harding

Mr. Wiseman

Mr. Freeston

Representatives of the Grade.

The nomination of a third official representative was postponed pending the consideration of the question of appointing to the Official side a member of a grade other than the First Division.

10. On the motion of Mr. J. H. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Fiddian, the Council agreed to the appointment of a Grade Committee to deal with matters peculiar to the Second Division Clerks in the Colonial Office. The following were nominated to be members of the Committee.

Mr. Fiddian

Mr. Westbrook

Mr. Smith

Mr. Scoffham

Mr. Bickle

Mr. H. W. Thompson

Official representatives.

Representatives of the Grade.

11. The Chairman stated that the Authorities were unable to agree to the Resolution:

"That it is desirable that publicity be given in the Department to the occurrence of vacancies in the existing establishment, the creation of posts, or the grant of additional allowances,"

and the matter was adjourned for further consideration by the Staff Representatives. 12. It was proposed by Mr. Wiseman, and seconded by Mr. Harper, "That the office hours of attendance be altered during summer time so as to be from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. instead of from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with consequential changes in the hours of the various branches of the Colonial Office." After discussion, the resolution was reserved by the Official side for further consideration.

13. Mr. Pughe proposed, and Mr. Thompson seconded, the following resolution :-

"That no proposal affecting any matter which the Departmental Council is competent to discuss shall be submitted to the Secretary of State or to the Treasury without the Staff Representatives being given an adequate oppor- tunity of prior criticism."

After discussion, the matter was adjourned.

14.

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On the motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Kennedy, it was proposed "That it is desirable that the normal retiring age of members of the Colonial Office, except those drawing salaries of £800 per annum and over (pre-War), should be fixed at 60, and that all officers concerned should be given at least six months' notice that their services will not be extended after they reach that age, unless (a) a further period of service is required to enable an individual to qualify for increased pension, (b) it is desirable in the interests of the public service that an officer's services should be retained, or (c) the position of the individual is such that no promotion would result from his retirement." These proposals were opposed by Mr. Pughe on behalf of the Staff Clerks, and the Council not being unanimous, the resolution was lost.

23277

No. 9.

PRELIMINARY REPORT OF STAFFING AND ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE.

TERMS OF REFERENCE.

AT the First Meeting of the Departmental Council* we were appointed a Committee with the following terms of reference :-

"To consider and make recommendations upon the following questions with regard to the staffing and organization of the Colonial Office:-

"(1.) The best method of providing an adequate staff for the adminis- trative and clerical work of the department, having regard to the relation between the members on the staff and the volume of the work (a) before, (b) after, the War, and the allocation of the work as between the various grades of the public service.

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(2) The general principles to be adopted as governing the recruitment and training of the staff of the department, in so far as they are peculiar to the Colonial Office.

"(3) The opportunities of advancement open to the several grades employed in the Colonial Office, and the possibility of laying down any principles applicable to the special circumstances of this department as regards the filling of vacancies in a higher grade by promotion from a lower grade."

Meetings.

2. The Committee held its first meeting on the 22nd January, and then adjourned pending the receipt of the report of the Joint Committee of the National Whitley Council on the organization, etc., of the Civil Service, which was subse- quently issued on the 17th February. The Committee has met six times since that

date.

Joint Committee's Report. Classification of Work.

3. The Joint Committee agreed that the administrative and clerical work of the Civil Service may be said, broadly, to fall into two main categories, viz. :—

(a) Work which is of a simple mechanical kind or consists in the appli- cation of well defined regulations, decisions, and practice to particular cases: (b) Work which is concerned with the formation of policy, with the revision of existing practice or current regulations and decisions, and with the organization and direction of the business of the Government.

Classification of the Service.

4. The Joint Committee also agreed that, in order properly to provide for the work falling within these two main categories, it will be necessary to employ not less than four different classes, viz. :-

* No. 7.

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on of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Kennedy, it was proposed is desirable that the normal retiring age of members of the , except those drawing salaries of £800 per annum and over ould be fixed at 60, and that all officers concerned should be given onths' notice that their services will not be extended after they unless (a) a further period of service is required to enable an qualify for increased pension, (b) it is desirable in the interests service that an officer's services should be retained, or (c) the e individual is such that no promotion would result from his

were opposed by Mr. Pughe on behalf of the Staff Clerks, and gunanimous, the resolution was lost.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

། ། ། །;། ། mmimmimCO

No. 9.

! REPORT OF STAFFING AND ORGANIZATION

COMMITTEE.

TERMS OF REFERENCE,

Meeting of the Departmental Council* we were appointed a following terms of reference:— sider and make recommendations upon the following questions o the staffing and organization of the Colonial Office :—

best method of providing an adequate staff for the adminis- lerical work of the department, having regard to the relation lembers on the staff and the volume of the work (a) before, (b) , and the allocation of the work as between the various grades service.

e general principles to be adopted as governing the recruitment of the staff of the department, in so far as they are peculiar to Office.

⚫ opportunities of advancement open to the several grades the Colonial Office, and the possibility of laying down any

.

plicable to the special circumstances of this department as İling of vacancies in a higher grade by promotion from a lower

Meetings.

ttee held its first meeting on the 22nd January, and then he receipt of the report of the Joint Committee of the National the organization, etc., of the Civil Service, which was subse- e 17th February. The Committee has met six times since that

Joint Committee's Report. Classification of Work.

Committee agreed that the administrative and clerical work of

y be said, broadly, to fall into two main categories, viz. :—

which is of a simple mechanical kind or consists in the appli- I defined regulations, decisions, and practice to particular cases: which is concerned with the formation of policy, with the cisting practice or current regulations and decisions, and with ion and direction of the business of the Government.

Classification of the Service.

Committee also agreed that, in order properly to provide for the these two main categories, it will be necessary to employ not ent classes, viz. :—

* No. 7.

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