TNAG-0593-FCO40-739-Maintenance-of-Government-houses-in-Dependent-Territories-1977 — Page 6

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CODE 18 - 77

Irwart

Aure. Quesory

Hong Kong & General pept

Mr Hall

zola

Reference.....

iala.

¡AINTENANCE OF GOVERNMENT HOUSES

cc Mr Bullock

Mr Shakespeare Mr Ure

Mr Winchester

LAST

REF

NFXI

REF.

1. I am sorry we have been so long in replying to your minute of 8 July. I greatly welcome HK& GD's initiative and your draft note. The second list of posts in your paragraph 6 should read "St Helena and dependencies"

2.

I

We might perhaps try to define more tightly the split of responsibility between the UK and local governments. suggest we should accept responsibility for the building and all movable furniture, fittings and equipment. This would include re-wiring (some of this is very dodgy in the old wooden Government Houses), all structural repairs where necessary and of course replacement of furniture, furnishings and equipment. It would not extend to replacement eg of light bulbs, cleaning materials, tap washers, plugs and similar incidentals.

7. The source of finance will be the rub and there will be screams of horror from ODM. Should we perhaps try to cost out what we are suggesting first? It will be peanuts beside aid to Talia.

T

am even more strongly in favour of our assuming responsibility for Governors' leave passages. As you know the loneliness of a Governor's life in the small islands is a big strain and even supremely relaxed men like Derek Hatthews were distinctly edgy after only 18 months in Montserrat. I think it essential and Harry stanley agreed with this that the OAGS in Montserrat, Anguilla and Turks and Caicos should have annual leave (Le Breton on FCO terms already has this). It is very embarrassing having to go to local governments and ask for money to send their Governors on leave more frequently than they would normally provide for their own employees. if we summon a Governor home for consultation,after which we could add days for leave, "e can hardly include his wife in the summons. But if we paid we could decide ourselves on the appropriate frequency of leave. In the Caymans, BVI and St Helena 18 monthis is probably OK.

HKA 364/501

364/501/1

RALAVED MASRY NO. ST 20 SEP 1977

劃

19 September 1977

ред

PC Duff

Even

West Indian and Atlantic Department

Copy on HKA 436/501/1.