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It so happens that we have under consideration a case in which promotion in absentia is a relevant factor: it is that of Sir Murray MacLehosc. When Sir Murray started his period. of service as Governor of Hong Kong in November 1971 at the age of 54, he was a DS Grade 2 officer. In 1975, he was promoted in absentia to DS Grade 1, and he is now officially listed among DS Grade 1 officers. Sir Murray is still serving as Governor and I do not know on what basis the award for his service as Governor will eventually be calculated; this must to some extent, I suppose, depend on the final terms of the new Governors Pension Scheme. But in the event of an aggregated award under the PCSPS for the DS and governor's service being decided upon, I do not see how it would be possible to justify a failure to take account of Sir Murray's 1975 promotion in absentia to DS Grade 1.
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5. I should be most grateful if you could reconsider this point. I very much hope that on reflection you will be able to agron that as a general principle account should be taken of promotion in absentia in assessing the salary for an aggregated PCSPS award under the rules of the Governors Pension Scheme.
6.
I am sending a copy of this letter to Willby at ODM, who may also wish to comment.
זי
D L Benest
Personnel Services Department