CO885-8 — Page 197

Printed Confidentially for the use of the Colonial Office.

Miscellaneous

No. 154.

427

MEMORANDUM

ON THE

COLONIAL OFFICE ESTABLISHMENT.

PUB RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TLC.O. 885

8

WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE

REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

"YRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

LIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON:

During the last seven years it has been impossible to discharge the work of the Colonial Office promptly and thoroughly. This is primarily due to the fact that while, as will be seen from Table A., the volume of work has increased steadily and rapidly, the increase of the staff has always been behind it. Indeed, it may be said that in 1896 the work fell into arrear from which it has never recovered. The difficulties bave been increased by the want of space to accommodate conveniently the additional number of men and papers.

TEL

In view of the removal of the Crown Agents, next autumn, and the additional space which will then become available, it is desirable to settle as far as possible what staff will be required to overtake the arrears of work and keep it up to date, and in doing so to consider whether by any further redistribution of business, or by other means, the work may be more economically disposed of. That great economy in this respect has already been effected is shown by the fact that, whereas in 1878 (the year after the Office was organised on its present principles) the number of papers dealt with was 14,001 and the charge for salaries 29,6017., iu 1902 the number of papers dealt with was 53,250, and the charge for salaries 45,8951., so that in the interval the work has nearly quadrupled, while the cost of performing it is little more than 50 per cent. more. It may be noted that the cost of the upper clerical establishment has increased in even a 1965 ratio. This result is, of course, due in a measure, to redistribution and delegation of from the more highly to the less highly officials, but it is also due largely to the the stall generally, from the highest to the now works under pressure, not only unges in itself, but dangerous to the efficienogi. public service, we

'

staff

The question of the numbers of the future in, as will be shown further on, a difficult ons answer, and it will be convenient to consider, frat, the possibility of any further economy in, be distribution of work.

In the Colonial Office, as in other Government Offices, the staff comprime two main divisions

B 25444.

30-3/08. Pk. 16, K. & 8.'

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