Britain: An official handbook > 1956

44
BRITAIN: AN OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
The Colonial Office does not directly administer the non-self-governing terri¬
tories with which it deals. Each of these has its own administration and an increasing
measure of autonomy.
Her Majesty's Oversea Civil Service. Members of this Service are employed in
the public service of the territory in which they serve and are paid by the Govern¬
ment of that territory. The Service merges the former administrative and profes¬
sional branches of the Colonial Service. Its members are eligible for employment
in any post which the Secretary of State for the Colonies is requested or authorized
to fill and may be considered, as opportunity offers, for posts in Commonwealth
or foreign territories for which the United Kingdom Government may be invited
to recommend candidates. Recruitment into this Service is undertaken in the
United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries when suitably qualified local
candidates are not available for appointment to the territorial public service.
The Crown Agents for Oversea Governments and Administrations are appointed
by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to act as commercial and financial agents
in the United Kingdom for the Governments of the territories for which he is
responsible. They also act by special arrangement for other Governments and
bodies.
The Commonwealth Relations Office
The Commonwealth Relations Office is the main channel of communication
between the United Kingdom Government and the Governments of the other
member nations of the Commonwealth—Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South
Africa, India, Pakistan and Ceylon. Through it, consultation and exchange of infor¬
mation takes place with the External Affairs Departments of those Commonwealth
countries, either directly or through United Kingdom High Commissioners, on
all subjects of mutual interest—foreign affairs, defence co-operation, economic
and other matters. Where foreign policy is concerned, the Office works in close
association with the Foreign Office.
The Commonwealth Relations Office is also responsible for the conduct of rela¬
tions with the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland1 and for the administration
of the High Commission Territories—Basutoland, the Bechuanaland Protectorate
and Swaziland.
The Commonwealth Relations Office was established in 1947, replacing the
Dominions Office (set up in 1925). In the same year the conduct of relations with
India and Pakistan was transferred to the Commonwealth Relations Office from
the India Office, which was abolished, and in 1948 the Office assumed similar
responsibility in respect of Ceylon, which in that year became an equal member of
the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth Relations Office remains the Department responsible for
the conduct of relations between the United Kingdom Government and the
Government of the Irish Republic, which left the Commonwealth in 1949.
The Customs and Excise Department
Commissioners to collect the Customs and the Excise revenues were first
appointed by the Long Parliament in 1643 (although after the Restoration the
older method of collection through private contractors was again resorted to for
1 The Federation comprises the three territories of Southern Rhodesia, Northern
Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Federal matters and Southern Rhodesian territorial matters
are dealt with by the Commonwealth Relations Office, but territorial matters concerning
Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland are dealt with by the Colonial Office.