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fault, but it must be of concern to the Bank. One way of accelerating

disbursements would be to improve the absorptive capacity of borrowing

countries through an expanding programme of technical assistance designed

to strengthen the planning and executing capability of the institutions

concerned in these countries.

"I note with approval therefore the Bank's present activities and

future intentions in this field. To this end, my Government is prepared

to continue to provide financial support, on an un-tied basis, to the

technical assistance special fund. If the results of the proposed comparative

research exercises into the social and cultural environments within which

the development process must operate in borrowing countries are such that

they can be put to practical use, then these studies should also help to

improve the speed and effectiveness with which disbursements are made.

"I know that the President has recently re-structured the management

of the Bank with a view to ensuring that it remains responsive to changing

circumstances and capable of managing the Bank's rapidly expanding lending

programmes, and its increasingly complex financial affairs, with maximun

efficiency. I hope that this will be followed up by a review of the organi-

sation of the Bank's internal administration as a whole, including all questions

relating to the recruitment and management of staff.

"For my second point is this whilst I believe in the concept

of career service in the Bank, I think that an international development

institution should dilute its establishment of career staff with staff

/on contract