Sir Peter Preston
ADMINISTRATION IN CONFIDENCE
HKA 431/2
„RECEIVED IN "EGISTRY 10. 51
5 JUN1979
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
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DEPENDENT TERRITORIES SENIOR APPOINTMENTS BOARD
1. I have recently been giving thought to the future of the Dependent Territories Senior Appointments Board (DTSAB).
2.
As you may know, the DTSAB was set up in 1969 following
Its the merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Offices. purpose was to provide a channel through which advice could be submitted to the Secretary of State about appointments to Governorships and certain other senior posts in Depsnuort
Your Administratio· has been represented
Territories.
the Board from the outset; the current ODA member is Do, alu Kirkness.
3.
Circumstances have changed greatly over the last ten years. The number of Dependent Territories has
The supply of diminished and will continue to do so. HMOCS officers is drying up, and we are now having to look more and more to the Diplomatic Service to fill senior posts
Moreover, there is seldom the remaining territories. sufficient business to justify formal meetings of the Board
the last was in November 1977); individual appointments have normally been dealt with out of Committee.
Provided you see no objection, I propose to recommend to the Secretary of State that the DTSAB should be wound up after the meeting which has already been arranged for 4 June. Advice on appointments hitherto handled by the DTSAB would in future be submitted to the Secretary of State through the
We would make sure normal Diplomatic Service machinery. that the ODA were consulted at official level about all appointments formerly dealt with by the DTSAB in which you have an interest.
5. I should like to get this question settled
before
the DTSAB meets on 4 June, and should therefore be grateful if you could let me know early next week whether you agree to my proposal.
24 May 1979
Michael Palliser
Bp
31
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