TNAG-0997-FCO40-1222-Future-staffing-of-Dependent-Territories-1981 — Page 75

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there might be some real chance of their being implemented.

At a

4. The only other point that I want to raise is the concept of

"HM Inspector General of Dependent Territories". I do not much care

for the idea. By all means let there be someone to whom Departments in London can turn for special advice when necessary, but I for one

would not care to have to deal with an itinerant "Inspector-General". My misgivings have positive rather than negative foundations.

time when perforce the administration of the dependencies has become almost the exclusive responsibility of the Diplomatic Service, I would be reluctant to see the interposition of a special officer between the Governor and his appropriate Head of Department and Superintending Under-Secretary.

This in the point made by you. Cil but ducouted by nw.cift./5.

I can see no reason why for normal purposes Governors of the

Dependencies should not be treated like the Heads of Diplomatic

Missions. Greater interchange with and visits by appropriate colleaques

within FCO are what is required. The creation of a special post of Inspector-General might serve only to reduce this and even create a

feeling of separateness. I think we must all do what we can to disperse any notion that administering a dependency needs arcane or specialist skills that those never fortunate to have served in a dependency cannot readily either understand or acquire. That said; I believe that there

may be a good case for the Diplomatic Service Inspectorate extending its

attention to relevant aspects of management in at least the grant-aided

territories.

I am

6. I admit also to one personal misgiving about this concept: the selection of a suitable ex-Governor would have to be exceptionally well- judged. The weight of Colonial tradition as imposed by many Governors has been occasionally a burden under which some Colonies have groaned if

not actually suffered. There is something about a Governor's rank that

can make even the unassuming and meek forget their mortal status.

not being facetious. In the late sixties and early seventies your

records will show, for example, that the Western Pacific suffered from

a rigidity of discipline and consciousness of rank that did not accord

with more generally prevailing concepts. I believe that gubernatorial self-esteem may be an occupational hazard that may even yet prevail elsewhere from time to time. So, if an ex-Governor is to be elevated

to be an "Inspector-General", let him be a man whose achievements have

included service at a senior level in something other than colonial

administration. I do not mean to disparage by implication any of my

predecessors here or elsewhere, but there are many traditional things

about a Governor's role that we might do well not to perpetuate. I do

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