TNAG-0592-FCO40-725-Inspection-of-Hong-Kong-and-Indian-Ocean-Department-1976 — Page 87

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The intention was that the specific requirements should have priority. But Mr Bennett clearly considers that he must deal first with questions referred to him for advice, many of which are of some urgency, and tackle the specific projects only in the remaining available time. He is thus taking longer than expected to up-date Colonial Regulations.

Performance

27. We were not convinced that some of the specific projects given to Mr Bennett were essential. Experience of Colonial Office practice at a higher level is now very scarce and there is an increasing need for reference material on precedent. But any attempt to enhance what is at present available must also have in mind the progress which the remaining Dependent Territories are now making towards independence. In these terms

(a) it is hard at this stage of decolonization to justify

a further revision of a volume of Colonial Regulations last up-dated in 1951. We were told that it had arisen out of a request by the Hong Kong Government for approval of certain amendments which they had made for their own purpose.

We think that this approval. should have been given without calling for any general updating. The work is, however, now nearing completion.

(b) "Dependent Territories Departmental Practice" is an

essential hand-book for desk officers and would also be useful to Governors and Deputy Governors on the ground. But it was only written three years ago and requires continuous updating by the department rather than immediate revision.

(c) A major Precedents Index might well duplicate the

functions of "Dependent Territories Departmental Practice" which already provides guidance on a wide variety of colonial precedent.

28. We recommend that

(a) "Dependent Territories Departmental Practice" should

be regarded as the basic handbook on Dependent Territories administration. It should become a numbered volume of DSP and copies should be held by all departments dealing with Dependent Territories and also by senior staff in the Dependent Territories themselves. The handbook should be revised chapter by chapter as a continuing exercise with the advice and assistance of the DSP Editorial Unit of the Inspectorate.

10.

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/(b)