TNAG-0699-FCO40-850-Maintenance-of-Government-Houses-in-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 66

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Finance Department

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MAINTENANCE OF GOVERNMENT HOUSES IN CERTAIN DEPENDENT TERRITORI ES

1.

It has become apparent that the Governors of some of our grant- aided Dependent Territories have for some time been encountering difficulties in obtaining adequate funds from their Legislative Assemblies for the upkeep and maintenance of Government Houses. conjunction with WIAD, and with the help of comments from the Governors, I have been looking into the problem to see whether there is any way in which we can help.

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2. Colonial Regulation 281 provides that Government Houses, together with their stables, garages, outbuildings, fences and other P.P. appurtenances, shall be kept in substantial repair throughout, at the

cost of each Territory. The rooms are to be painted and papered (when necessary) and furnished at public expense. Plate and table ornaments to a moderate and reasonable amount, together with crockery, glass, cutlery and kitchen utensils, are also to be provided at the cost of each Territory. Hitherto no funds have been made available from UK sources except where aid funds have been provided to bring Government Houses to a reasonable standard prior to a Royal Visit (e.g. BVI, Belize and Seychelles) or, in the case of Anguilla, where a new house was built and equipped from aid funds for H Commissioner when Anguilla reverted to Dependent Territory type status.

3. The basis of the present problem lies in the fact that while the Governor of a Dependent Territory represents that Territory in all important affairs and occupies a social position of unique dignity and eminence which requires him to maintain an appropriate presence, in many Dependencies he has been saddled with a Government House which is large, sometimes wooden, old and decrepit, and costly to maintain. The constant need to approach local politicians for petty sums of money to mend a washer or deal with termites is a source of embarrassment to Governors and can undo much of the patient effort they have put into gaining the confidence and goodwill of

This is these people over matters of far greater importance. particularly true in those Territories which are budget-aided and where, in the words of one Governor, "a coat of varnish on a chair deprives a school child of milk”.

4. Dependent Territory Governments can reasonably be expected to make modest but adequate provision in their annual estimates to cover the cost in Government House of the following items:

HKA 364/1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

14 JUN 1978

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

جلد

STAY

Take

PA

рх

Staff wages and uniforms

Utilities (electricity, water, etc) Telephones

Upkeep of grounds

Incidentals (cleaning materials, etc)

wived

Ø

LAST

NEXT

(27)(28

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