JOB DESCRIPTION
MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE
ANNEX 5
GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, ST HELENA AND DEPENDENCIES
THE TERRITORY
A.
1.
Background (Constitutional and Political Position)
The island is 10 miles long and 6 miles wide covering an area of 47 square miles. It has a population of about 5,000. Its exceptionally isolated position and limited communications colour the whole life of the island.
2.
The island's Constitution provides for a Legislative Council consisting of the Governor (as President), two ex-officio members (the Government Secretary and the Colonial Treasurer) and 12 members elected by universal adult suffrage. There is also an Executive Council of which the Governor is Chairman and which consists of the two ex-officio members and those members of the Legislative Council who are for the time being Chairmen of the Legislative Council Committees, at present five. The Legislative Council, which the Governor is required to dissolve at least every four years, is encouraged to oversee the activities of the various Government Departments, although the Governor has substantial reserved powers over internal affairs and retains control over external affairs and defence.
3. Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are dependencies of St Helena. The Governor is the sole legislative and executive body for Ascension and the legislative authority for Tristan da Cunha. There are British Administrators on both Islands appointed by the Secretary of State. In 1969 an Island Council was established on Tristan da Cunha by an Ordinance under which the Administrator is assisted by a Council consisting of 3 nominated and 8 selected members. The Council's functions are advisory only.
4.
St Helena remains a contented community, not greatly participant except in sport, and politically apathetic. It is unlikely that political interest will quicken in the absence of any external cata- lyst. Proposals to maximise the use of local talent by making Civil Servants eligible to stand for election to the Legislative Council - there being some 34% of the electorate ineligible to stand because they are government officers were wholeheartedly rejected equally by the Executive Council and by senior members of the Civil Service. Basically, there is little wish for change.
5.
Given the extreme isolation of the place, the paucity of resources and the people's strong and patriotic attachment to Britain, there is almost no chance of St Helena and its dependencies becoming independent. The probable long term future for the Island is absorp- tion into the UK by either association or integration.
MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE
16.
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