TNAG-0712-FCO40-899-Policy-on-salary-and-allowances-for-Governors-1979 — Page 34

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ADMINISTRATION IN CONFIDENCE

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8

HKA 434/1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

2 1 SEP 1978

DESK OFFICER

Mr Stratton

ALEKS

INDEX

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18 (17) 19

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GOVERNORS' TERMS OF SERVICE

STRY

Masion Take

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1. In all our remaining dependent territories, Governors are to a greater or lesser extent dependent on their local governments in matters concerning their personal terms of service. As you pointed out in your minute of 24 July, this situation can be very embarrassing for Governors and local Ministers alike, particularly in the poorer territories; it

can also create strains between them to the detriment of good

government. It would clearly be more satisfactory for all con- cerned if arrangements could be made to transfer responsibility for Governors' terms. of service from local governments to the

British government. You asked us to consider this possibility.

2.

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In some ways the simplest solution might be for the FCO to take over full financial and manpower responsibility for Governors. But local Ministers might well resent this (Governors would no longer be "their" men to the same extent), and the FCO would, of course, be involved in substantial new expenditure. In any case the problem is not so much one of finance there is generally no suggestion that territories cannot afford to pay for their Governors, at least to the extent to which they are doing at present - but of the relationship between Governors and their local ministers. What we need to devise is a system under which Governors do not need to negotiate direct with their local governments on matters affecting their personal conditions of service.

3. One way in which this might be achieved would be through the comprehensive application of the system whereby Diplomatic Service officers who are seconded to dependent territories as Governors receive their salaries and allowances directly from the FCO and the FCO claims at least partial reimbursement from the territories concerned. In theory, this system could be extended to include not only salaries and allowances but

ADMINISTRATION IN CONFIDENCE

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