TNAG-0997-FCO40-1222-Future-staffing-of-Dependent-Territories-1981 — Page 68

HKA 431/13

26 Mar 1981

DESK OFICER

INL

PA

File

Reference..

+ en

(31

-copres

despatched BOM

Mr Bennett PPD Mr Morrice HKGD

BBR

Staffing of Dependent Territories integration of HMOCS Officers

Miss Brett-Rooks' minute of 18 May. 30)

Officers involved and HGDG proposal for absorption

2. I agree that at the present time the five officers listed at para 2 of her minute are the only officers we are concerned with. It is always possible, but now probably remote, that an Administrative Officer with specialised experience, a good record, and of the right age might surface from an independent territory. We shouldn't close the door on such an officer (particularly in the finance field).

The

3. Although we are dealing with only a handful of officers, they are serving in small territories alongside other professional and technical officers on contract terms, and dissatisfaction can easily arise. If absorption proposals are agreed I hope an approach can be made to individual officers in confidence. possibility exists that for personal reasons an officer may not wish to be absorbed into the DS and would prefer to carry on on present terms bridging between tours as at para 4 of Mr Bennett's minute. This is hardly likely but they are at present outside the UK tax net.

Financial and administrative arrangements

4. The attached circular from ODA dated 4 April 1972 sets out the normal accounting arrangements. All DTs, except Bermuda and Hong Kong, have an OSAS agreement with ODA. Provided ODA agrees the appointment of a DS officer for the purposes of OSAS on first selection, the accounting procedures of the circular apply and I see no reason why all costs (salary, allowances, pension contribution, passages, education allowances, baggage costs) can't be clawed back from ODA. This does not apply to Bermuda where we have to negotiate direct prior to appointment about reimbursements of a seconded officer. (This applies solely to the post of Deputy Governor). The above also does not apply to officers seconded as Governors on DS terms (rather than going on local terms (Bermuda and Hong Kong)) where we write direct to DTs and get back only the local salary and duty allowance.

Legal and Judicial Officers

5. We have Attorney-Generals in Anguilla, Caymans, Gibraltar, Montserrat, St Helena and Turks & Caicos. We may be asked to provide Attorney-Generals in BVI and Bermuda where the posts are at present filled by local officers. On the Judicial side there are Chief Justice, Judges and President and members of

/Courts