Х
CONFIDENTIAL
Nevertheless the structure of government has remained
virtually unchanged from the days in which the Colony was
a sleepy and rather stuffy naval station and entrepot of
about 1 million people. There is therefore an assumption
that change may be needed.
9.
I am particularly struck by the absence of any inner
council of officials acting as a corporate decision-making
or steering body (Ex-Co does not perform this function,
and in it free discussion between officials is not possible).
Everything appears to be settled between the Colonial
Secretary and the Governor
Secretary with occasional ad hoc meetings of officials.
The absence of such a body, which is normal in most big
cities, must make it difficult for the Governor and
Colonial Secretary to impress their policies on the few
key officials who run the Colony or to develop in them a
sense of corporate responsibility. I should have thought
that its existence would also strengthen the position of
Heads of Department vis-a-vis the Secretariat and make it
easier to identify and prevent delays in it.
with or without the Financial
10. I have read the papers in the Department setting out
various proposals for reform of the structure of government
including Sir L Monson's proposal for an entirely unofficial
membership of Leg-Co, and Mr Laird's for a 'Member' system.
All I can say at this stage is that I accept this whole field
5. CONFIDENTIAL
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