8
Conclusions
33. In conclusion, I found the discussions with Heads of
Departments, although time consuming, invaluable as a means of .
acquiring information at virtually grass-roots level.
In
particular they were useful in obtaining independent confirmation
of problems not necessarily accepted as valid by the Directorate
and Board of Governors, which I myself would otherwise have had
to report with some scepticism.
34.
Most prominent in this category is the universally bemoaned
claim that the salary scale at the Lecturer level is inadequate.
I did my best to alert both the Academic Committee and the
Directorate of the need for remedial action. But at the former,
Heads of Departments, who had spoken elequently on the subject
to me individually, had little to say. The latter gave the
impression their hands were tied by the restrictive attitude of
the Board of Governors, and in the background, the Government.
Since my visit a new situation has been brought about by the
recommendations of the Houghton Report, and it remains to be
seen what effect (if any) this will have on the attitude of the
authorities in Hong Kong.