CONFIDENTIAL
and responsibility for the appointment of its members. The Commission therefore, seems to have performed a purely advisory role and had no binding authority over the Govenor. However, as the Governor's discretionary rights were gradually reduced through the advance of self-government so the authority of the Commission was expanded. The extent of its jurisdiction was carefully defined and the Governor seems gradually to have become bound by its recommendations, or had to consult the Commission before acting. As this process got under way it seems that, in many territories, the Colonial Regulations were largely supers eeded by local General Orders or Public Service Regulations. These local Orders existed alongside Colonial Regulations and took over when the latter lapsed at independence or shortly before (see attached extracts from Roberts-Wray on Colonial Regulations). After independence, the Executive Authority formerly exercised by the Governor seems to have passed to the Prime Minister or President of the newly independant state. Having achieved independente Governments were of course free to follow their own particular line.
6. The most effective way to illustrate these changes would be to examine the process in one or more territories in detail and chart the evolution of the Public Service Commission. However I am afraid I am away from my part-time Commonwealth desk in RD at the moment and have been unable to follow this up. I also feel that Legal Advisers should be consulted before any definative steps are taken. I enclose a copy of your original minute and enclosure as requested.
Scean Fauld's
PP.
D J Howlett
CONFIDENTIAL
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