PERSONAL - ADMINISTRATION-IN-CONFIDENCE
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OUR REF: SP.53/06-II.' GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
YOUR REF :
P. Morrice Esa * 3
HEA
MONTSERRAT, W.
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
21 JAN 1981 December, 1980.
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
É BICISTRY
Aution Taken
Hong Kong & General Department, Hill 30/1
Foreign & Commonweith ard
London SW1.
NO
Dear Morrice,
Inspection of Dependent Territories
I refer to your letter of 28th November, which arrived here in the bag just before Christmas. I hope this reply, which catches the bag on 30th December, reaches you in time.
2. As usual, Tom Russell has produced a competent piece of research work, which would be of considerable value to anyone becoming a Governor for the first time. I have no criticism of the check list, it is very much what I have learned over the years that needs to be done in order to keep tabs on one's own performance, and that of the politicians and the Public Service.
3.
We are just starting a major exercise to review the Public Service. This exercise involves a complete 0 and M study to establish clearly the responsibilities and functions of the various Ministries, and from this it is hoped to produce a leaner, less costly and more efficient service, The programme will also include a full review of procedures and practice within the Service, or lack of them, and thereafter comprehensive guides to Government and Office Procedures will be introduced - Tom Russell's check list will be helpful here. Law reform, consolidation and revision also forms part of this exercise. For your information I attach a copy of the instructions I have recently issued to implement this review.
4. Attached are brief comments on Russell's Questionnaire as it relates to the present state of affairs in Montserrat. In considering my comments please remember that I do not have a Deputy Governor, or Chief Secretary to assist in keeping the Service on its toes, nor do I have any back up in my office in the form of an FCO secretary. The latter is to be put right next year, but I doubt if the politicians would look with favour on the creation of the post of Deputy Governor, or Chief Secretary.
5. You do not seem to have copied your letter to WIAD, if not, then may I suggest you do so.
Yours
senarby
David Das (D.K.H. Dale)
Governor.
c.c. Irs. B. Kittery,
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Comments on Mr Russell's Questionnaire
Constitutional
i)
ii)
iii)
Yes, but there is a need for a Ministerial Practice and Procedure Notes for the guidance of Ministers, on which I am working at present, albeit slowly, as and when time permits.
The Montserrat Constitution comprises several documents, which makes for untidiness. We have now produced a consolidated version, which makes for greater convenience. This is being issued together with an explanatory note by me on the principles of the constitution and how it works.
The Standing Orders have not been recently reviewed. This, and the lack of Hansard, are to be examined in the course of the forthcoming review of the Public Service.
iv)
No.
vi)
This
It is produced intermittently. deficiency, a serious one, is to be examined and rectified at the same time as (iii) above.
About 4 7 days.
BAN
They are one and the same person and he performs reasonably effectively.
Public Service
i)
PSC Laws and Regulations were revised by me in June 1980 and are now in effect.
ii)
About twice a month, and more often if needed.
iii)
Yes.
iv)
Yes.
vi) ·
vii)
viii)
ix)
x)
1973, but since then there have been 18 amendments. Some of the provisions are archaic and General Orders will be fully reviewed in the context of the O & M exercise to produce Guides toGovernment and Office Procedures.
No. I have, however, held several discussions with PSC and I have issued firm instructions as to the preparation of reports for 1980. I propose to examine reports in detail and comment on them as necessary in an attempt to improve present low standards of reporting.
No. There has been a serious deficiency in the past and is to be rectified at the same time as points (iii) and (iv) under Constitutional.
Yes. It was last reviewed in July 1980 and is reviewed every July.
These could be improved and have not, simply due to lack of time to do it. As it so happens there are not many problems; the main being the delay by Ministries in deciding whether or not they want to renew contracts.
Yes, with myself in the chair, due to a lack of a deputy.
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xi)
Yes.
xii)
Not yet, but this will be when the review of the Public Service is completed.
xiii)
Full use of 0 & M will be made during the review of the Public Service and thereafter a small ◊ & M Staff Inspection unit will need to be established.
xiv)
No.
torays
Occasional political forays Are made, but are prevented either by myself or by the Chairman of the PSC who is very independently minded, as are other members of the Commission. The Commission works. well and is respected.
Police
The Police Force requires considerable attention, which it is now getting. There has been no full scale inspection and review of the Force for many years, but there have of course been periodic visits of brief duration by the Police Adviser and the Regional Police Adviser, The latter and I have agreed that within the general framework of the review of the Public Service, there'
should.
be a special and full scale review of the Royal Montserrat Police Force to be carried out by a Senior police officer from overseas, either the Police Adviser, or someone else appointed on TC terms. This inspection coincides with the appointment of a new Commissioner. Most of the aspects raised by Mr Russell in respect of the Police will be examined during the review, together with assessment of manning rates and training requirements. As a first and early step I have reviewed state equipment, vehicles,, arms, radios and other police requirements and submitted an aid project, which in part has been approved and the rest being considered. If the Force is to be brought up to standard it is essential that this project be approved in full,
Law
of
i) & ii) Law reform, consolidation and revision
are urgently required. The last revision was done in 1962 with not too much regard being paid to reform and consolidation. Law reform, consolidation and revision forms part of the review of the Public Service. We have been fortunate to obtain the services of a UK based TC draftsman
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