t
However, ODM could not agree to SED taking on the aid job
as they are only willing to delegate such responsibility
within the Joint Department system. The next best solution,
and one accepted by ODM, is that they should do the work
themselves in one of their Departments. Although SED will not
exercise direct control over aid expenditure, they will
provide political guidance to the ODM, and all concerned feel
that this arrangement can be made to work in practice, in
spite of the fact that it is not followed for dependent
territories generally (such an arrangement has already been
accepted for the Falkland Islands and is working satis-
factorily).
5 Various alternatives have been considered for the future
of the "rump" of Gibraltar and General Department. Although
it has to produce the necessary support and overseas staffing for the remaining Dependent Territories Departments, it is
difficult to justify its retention as an independent unit.
Other Joint Departments have a full workload and Commonwealth
Coordination Department is at present preoccupied with the forthcoming Commonwealth Conference. Placing it with Hong Kong Department, which has been agreed by all concerned,
seems the best solution for the moment.
CONCLUSIONS
6 I recommend that, with the exception of the administra- tion of aid, Gibraltar affairs should on administrative grounds be transferred to SED. If you agree with the administrative case, SED will submit separately on the quite difficult political aspects, including the timing of the move, along the lines of the attached draft submission and
telegram. Putting the "rump" of Gibraltar and General Department with Hong Kong Department meets the immediate
/requirement
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.