19. IMPLEMENTATION OF PROPOSALS FOR STRENGTHENING THE SECRETARIAT

(from "Chairman's Report of the Twenty-Seventh Meeting")


The Chairman informed the Commission that the procedure for the selection of a full-time Secretary as discussed at the last meeting had been followed. Thirty-two applications had been received and screened by the Chairman, the Secretary and representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food - scientific and administrative. A short list of six had been prepared. Copies of their application papers had been circulated at a meeting of the Selection Panel under the Chairman comprising representatives of Argentina, Australia, also representing the Chairman of the Scientific Committee, Japan, USSR, UK and USA. A unanimous choice could not be achieved by correspondence and the candidate selected at a further meeting of the Panel did not accept the appointment.

The Commission reviewed the short list and decided that the post should be re-advertised with a salary range of 0,000 to 」12,000. The aim should be to have the full-time Secretary in post by the early spring.

The Chairman reported that the draft agreement between the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office to provide immunities and privileges for the Commission and its staff had been completed and would shortly be ready for signature when it would become operative.

It was reported that arrangements had been made with the Natural Environment Research Council for the new Secretariat to be accommodated in the building at Cambridge occupied by the British Antarctic Survey. On the recommendation of the Finance and Administration Committee the Commission approved the amendment of Rule XVII of its Rules of Procedure which provides that the office of the Commission shall be in London by the deletion of 'London' and insertion of 'United Kingdom'.

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