TNAG-0364-FCO40-410-McKinsey-Report-on-strengthening-the-machinery-of-government-1973 — Page 47

G.F, 323 0903230

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As some of you will know, the Consultants have drawn on the experience and views of many senior professional and administrative officers (your comments, by the way, are treated as professional transactions between you and the Consultants) and I would say that what is emerging is evolutionary rather than revolutionary. But it is where evolution takes a significant change in direction. The present proposals imply a more compact more purposeful Secretariat, structured so that it will be better able to initiate changes in policy and to co- ordinate the implementation of policy over the full range of Government's activities. As a result of programme planning and other measures, such as increased delegation, departments would be more able to carry out their tasks without so much regular reference to the Secretariat, provided however - and this is a large proviso that their performance is effective, and where it is possible to measure in this way, cost-effective.

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The Consultants are convinced however that policy determination must remain in the centre, because essentially this is the result of political judgements based on competing claims for resources. The Consultants also think that there is advantage in using the services of suitable senior professional officers in the Secretariat, rather than using only Administrative and Senior Executive Officers. All these proposals, and others which may be more contentious have to be carefully refined and assessed. It is no good changing our present system which by and large has served us well, unless we can be sure that the new one will work a good deal better; nor can we allow Government to grind to a halt during, and as a result of, the ordeal of change.

I am

This letter is already too long, but I hope it serves its purpose in putting you in the picture. conscious of the feeling that some of you feel left out but there are only three consultants and though they work exceedingly hard they simply cannot cover a wider area. If any of you can spare the time to drop in and see me or the Consultants to float any pet ideas you may have, do not hesitate to do so.

Finally, there is no objection to your showing this letter to superscale officers in your department and for this purpose I attach extra copies.

MDAC:gbn

Yours ever,

(M.D.A. Clinton )

Deputy Colonial Secretary,

(Special Duties).

To:

All Heads of Departments.

CONFIDENTIAL #3

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