TNAG-0699-FCO40-850-Maintenance-of-Government-Houses-in-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 67

However, from the evidence supplied by Governors (I attach copies of letters and telegrams from the Governors of Anguilla, BVI, Turks and Caicos and Montserrat), it is clear that the time has come for us to step in with a certain amount of financial assistance. I particularly commend the letter of 15 March from Mr Wallace, Governor of BVI, who has stated the general position admirably.

5. I would like to suggest that funds should be made available from ODM resources for the maintenance of Government Houses in grant-aided dependent territories where the Governor has made out a reasonable case for this assistance by reason of his being unable to obtain adequate sumes from local sources. Such funds should cover the maintenance of the building itself (including structural repairs and rewiring where necessary) as well as furniture, fittings and equipment and their replacement when justified. In exceptional cases ODM funds might also cover replacements arising from an internal security problem (e.g. special lighting, locks, etc).

6. I have asked Governors to give an assessment of their financial requirements and I attach two schedules setting these out. One covers the costs required to bring the property up to a reasonable standard (a once and for all amount). The other estimates the annual cost of maintaining a property and its furnishings. Four territories are covered. We have also written to St Helena but this. is, as you know, a particularly remote territory and our letter will only just have arrived; I will be in touch with you again when we hear from the Governor. In the meantime Patrick Duff, who has stayed in the house at St Helena, describes it as an enormous old building, the proper maintenance of which is a drain on the territory but for which there is no suitable alternative. I, therefore, anticipate that the Governor will ask for, and need, help.

7. To sum up, we are asking for funds to be made available to bring the properties in the territories listed up to a reasonable standard and to maintain them in this condition without recourse to the local exchequer. As far as the administration of this expenditure is concerned, I suggest that the Development Division in Barbadon should be responsible for the four Caribbean territories, and that the funds for St Helena should be administered by the joint ODM/FCO geographical department.

I hope you will be able to agree in principle to these proposals fairly soon; the mechanics can be settled later.

8.

13 June 1978

00:

Mr Duff, WIAD, + encs

2

RJT McLaren

Hong Kong & General Dept FCO