NOTE
3.
The Colonial Office Beachcomber Scheme.
GENERAL
The Colonial Office Beachcomber Scheme provided for Colonial Service officers of promise to be seconded to the Colonial Office for training and to hold positions of responsibility. The period of such secondment was for two years although there was provision for very minor extensions of the period of up to a few months.
The two year period was served by one year in each of two Departments. Normally, beachcombers occupied a Principal post and carried out the full duties of a Principal.
2. SALARY
Arrangements for salary were that 8 years Colonial Service equated to the minimum of the Principal scale. Additional years of Colonial Service reckoned for additional increments. (This was based on the then Treasury view that Home Service Officers took about 8 years to reach full Principal rank). Six years Colonial Service was the minimum qualifying period for consideration for secondment to the Colonial Office. Two below-scale points were agreed for officers selected with only six or seven years of such service. There was, however, an arrangement whereby any particularly promising officer with between 6 and 8 years' service could be put on the minimum of the Principal Scale if, after 6 months in post, the C.O. was satisfied that he was capable of performing the full duties of a Principal. Also, "more senior Colonial Service officials" filling Principal posts could, at Colonial Office discretion, have salary fixed at a rate roughly equivalent to Colonial Service pay, subject to the maximum of the Principal scale.
3. ALLOWANCES
Married Officers
Home Service Allowance of £260 a year for the first two years only. Home Service Allowance of £100 a year for the third year if it was really just a few months extension but for anything "verging on a semi-permanent attachment to the Office" no allowance was payable in the third year.
Single Officers
Home Service Allowance of £130 a year for the first year of secondment only.
NOTE This allowance, which was subject to U.K. tax, was payable to compensate
officers for the high cost of securing temporary furnished accommodation.
DISTURBANCE GRANT
4.
Married Officers
£260
Single Officers
£ 70
This was a once for all payment on initial secondment. It was not subject to U.K. tax.
5.
SHARING OF COSTS
The costs of pay and allowances were shared equally between the Colonial Office and the loaning Colonial Government.
/Bassage