TNAG-0593-FCO40-739-Maintenance-of-Government-houses-in-Dependent-Territories-1977 — Page 5

Mrs Gregory

Reference......

18),

HRA 364/50

R......0

" INDEX

SATY NO. 1

2 8 SEP 1977

PA

A

B

MAINTENANCE OF GOVERNMENT HOUSES

1.

No

The response from Heads of Departments to our note has produced the following reactions:-

(a)

WIAD welcomes our initiative, suggests a tighter definition of the area where we should accept responsibility and that we should get down to assessing costs;

(b) SED are neutral but would like to be kept informed and consulted

again if a General new arrangement emerges for all DTs;

C

(c)

A

E

2.

SAD has not responded direct but Mr Parker, Governor Falkland Islands, discussed the maintenance of Government Houses in Port Stanley with Mr Stewart. The difficulties with the Legislative Assembly in the Falklands over the maintenance of Governm ent Houses seems to centre on the cost of heating and servants. These are matters for the local Government in any case. Out of a total of £24,418 for Government Houses only £2,340 is for upkeep and maintenance. (see flag D)

(d) PDTD has not responded but in any case all three Pacific

DTs are well on the way to independence and there has been no mention of a problem (though the New Hebrides is budget aided).

(e) Mr Le Breton, Commissioner Anguilla, has raised the question

of security of Government Houses.

Before we can make any decision or approach to ODM about funds we need to get a better idea of the cost of maintaining Government Houses in budget aided Territories. The only way to do this, in my view, is to write to the Governors for their assessment of the funds required to get Government Houses up to standard and to maintain them annually. I suggest that we bring in Mr Le Breton's point as well, and send copies to all the other Governors and Sir Bruce Greatbatch for information.

CODE 18 - 77

1

3.

A tentative draft letter is attached.

28 September 1977

Enc

CL Hall

Hong Kong and General Department K273

233-8768