TNAG-0828-FCO40-1036-Dependent-Territories-Senior-Appointments-Board--1979-1979 — Page 93

CODE 18-77

STAFF IN CONFIDENCE

53

Reference HKA 4.35/.2. (Anwest

Mrs Gregory, HKGD

- 2.4 1979

GOVERNORSHIPS - DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

1.

Thank you for letting me see your suggested Mr Wallace and Mr Dale. Can I make two suggestions?

Mr Wallace

Replace the last paragraph as follows

-

fpr

LAST

她

(54) (70)

Be

"Mr Wallace is an excellent all round officer, level headed and with a wide experience of dependent territories' problems and procedures. He is confident but modest. He does not Igo

out

of his way to establish relationships with colleagues and members of the public, some of whom have criticised him for having a rather narrow range of social contacts.

He is no innovator and is accordingly not the sort of man who will rock the boat. He is canny and self-effacing, preferring to leave his Ministers to make their own mistakes if he cannot talk them out of courses he disapproves of. He will not therefore play an active part in winning acceptance of new policies however desirable they may appear. Nevertheless his term of office as Governor BVI was successful. He kept the BVI Government solidly and safely on course but at the fairly leisurely pace which suited the people of the region at that time."

Mr Dale

Rev ise the last section as follows -

"In negotiations with the ultra difficult Turks and Caicos

Ministers he has shown great patience, flexibility and good humour. He combines firmness with gentleness and has a sensitive political nose for what is possible. [We need some- body in this post who will take a firmer line with his Ministers than in the recent past. Unlike the serving Governor Mr Dale would not be deflected from making unwelcome decisions.

Mr Dale has an excellent grasp of dependent territories' finance which is essential for the Governor, if Montserrat, heavily grant-aided, is to be brought to balance its budget and achieve the financial self-sufficiency necessary before facing up to possible independence.

Mr Duff considers that he would make a first-class Governor.

17

3 May 1979

STAFF

-

Peo PC Duff

West Indian & Atlantic Department

IN CONFIDENCE