Sessional_Paper_1949 — Page 80

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Limited references.

31. It was observed that only matters relating to the Colonial Development and Welfare Act had been referred to the present Chairman, but unless all Government development plans in their early stages were referred to the Committee, they would be handicapped in their work of proposing an overall development plan.

32. Arrangements should be made for the Committee to be informed of all pro- posed schemes affecting Development and Welfare and the Committee should advise on those schemes before they are approved.

Administrative Control.

33. The administrative control of the subjects of Colonial Development and Welfare was shared between two Assistant Colonial Secretaries and the Personal Assistant to the Deputy Colonial Secretary. The result of splitting these administra- tive functions is unsatisfactory.

34. One Assistant Colonial Secretary should be responsible for the subjects of Colonial Development and Welfare in addition to allied subjects as shown on the pro- posed Distribution of Business List (Appendix B).

Planning.

35. There is no central authority to plan, record and administratively control the progress of development schemes and it is recommended that the Assistant Colonial Secretaries in charge of the subject should also be administratively respon- sible for these functions.

36. Summary of recommendations made in this chapter:

(1) All proposed schemes affecting Development and Welfare should be referred to the Colonial Development and Welfare Committee who should advise on the schemes before their approval. (32)

(2) One Assistant Colonial Secretary should be responsible for the subjects

of Colonial Development and Welfare. (34)

(3) There should be a central authority to plan, record and administrative-

ly control the progress of development schemes. (35)

CHAPTER IV.

FINANCIAL BRANCH.

Organization.

37. The present organization of this Branch as shown on chart No. 5 attached to file 4467/47, provides for Exchange Control matters to be referred direct to the Financial Secretary.

38. It is recommended that all financial matters for decision beyond the delegated authority of the Assistant Secretaries should when possible be referred first to the Deputy Financial Secretary for his decision.

39. The Financial Secretary should be free from considering and deciding upon routine and simple matters. To achieve this, the Financial Secretary may consider delegating the required authority to his deputy.