وارها الله
Staff in Confidence
APPEMDAX
نا
O G Forster Esq CMG CVO Deputy Chief Clerk FCO
Denisline
HKA 414/1 REZIVED IN POISTKY NO. 51 1 8 APR 1978
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
224 بلد
دلد
REGISTRY Action Taken
EX
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
FALKLAND ISLANDS.
20 February 1978
I. You may recall we had some correspondence last year about the length of tour, before leave, of the FCO seconded staff here, i.e. the DS4 Chief Secretary, the DS7 Assistant to the Governor, the Personal Assistant and the Grade 10. We also briefly discussed it when I was home on leave, without coming to a firm conclusion. I believe that subsequently a case has been made to the CSD for a reduction to a year, from the present eighteen months, which I generally support.
2. If this is causing difficulty, could I make the suggestion that such a reduction should be at discretion rather than as a rule, the local decision in any particular case taking into account the circumstances of the job, any indication that an officer needs a break from the undeniably claustrophobie and intense atmosphere, and the problems of timing to fit in with other movements (an exact year all round could be difficult to plan for). It may be that sufficient break would be afforded in some cases by a few weeks holiday ir. South America, to or beyond Buenos Aires; in others it may be necessary to get right away. My own position is also involved, but this is complicated by the question of who pays the fare, and I will write about it separately.
3. The main purpose of this letter is however to reinforce the plea made in my telno.323, when we were considering the appointment of Miss Lawrence, as my assistant, in place of Slater, as my deputy. It was that she should receive an adequate accour table entertainment allowance and an indirect representational allowance supplement no less generous than that afforded to Slater. I know this is treading on contentious ground, in that it has been said that officers seconded to dependent territories do not have the representational dities. In the situation here, however, if we are to forward PMG's policies, then one of the peat ways in which it can be done is through entertainment;, I shall look upon Mira Lawrence, as I did Slater, not only as myyes and care about town but cultivator of local bien, and, being a women
n discreet best carry out these functions, in this peculiar little society, by informal small parties at home. Already she la proving invaluable in this respect, but it should not be at her can expense. She is herself writing to PSL on her allowance position, and I hope her case can be given sympath tie consideration.
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4. At the suggestion of the Departet, aa poised to let them have some figures on my own rather hefty expenditure in keeping my end up, and I understand that John Vassingham is similarly in touch about his costs. Fe, like me, does receive utilities provision from Falkland Islands Government funds, but he also needs to entertain to carry out the complex nature of his outies satisfact- orily, and I think that this should be recognised.
5. On allowances generally, the junior staff are fee ing the pinch very much indeed. When the allowanc
may not have
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