Civil Service Council that any future decisions con-
cerning equal pay for women serving in those grades
which have been deferred from inclusion in the scheme
will be implemented retrospectively from the 1st April
1969; that serving officers (male and female) will be
permitted to proceed along their respective existing
salary scales if they so desire, when and if new salary
scales differing from existing scales are introduced
(although this does not necessarily mean that they will
retain a right to existing salary scales on promotion to
a higher grade); and that serving women officers on
existing female salary scales which eventually meet those
of their male counterparts under the old "gradual parity"
scheme will be permitted to continue to proceed along
their existing female salary scales.
In the light of these practical demonstrations
of the Hong Kong Government's intention to carry out
its policy with regard to equal pay for women in the
Public Service, the Secretary of State has advised Her
Majesty that there is no reason for intervention in
this matter.
I am, Sir, Your obedient servant,