12
3.18
(h) When both the minimum and the maximum of the scale
are lowered
(i) where both the minimum and maximum of the
revised scale are lower than the minimum and maximum of the old scale a civil servant should be given a continuing option to retain his old scale on a personal basis until such time as it is to his advantage to transfer irrevocably to the revised scale;
(ii)
where a civil servant opts to convert to the revised scale he should convert to the same numbered point on that scale subject to this not being above the scale maximum.
The rules in paragraph 3.17 apply to the normal situation where a civil servant's pay is still expressed in terms of the same overall scale. They do not eliminate the need for special arrangements in certain circumstances, for example where a new overall scale is introduced. Thus the new rules will apply retrospectively to changes in rank scales, and to the extension of the upper end of civil service pay scales, introduced with effect from 1st October 1979. They will not apply to ranks which were provided with special conversion arrangements, nor where incremental credit is given to recruits with relevant experience and this has already been taken into account.
3.19
In Table A appended to this Chapter we set out some examples of the effect of our revised conversion rules but as in the case of the previous rules they should, if accepted, be explained in more detail by the Administration in an appropriate circular.
Date of Implementation
3.20
There can be no single date of implementation of the recommendations contained in this Report. In some cases we consider our recommendations should be backdated to 1st October 1979 and in other cases our recommendations should be introduced from a current date. In yet other cases, the date of implementation must be a future date i.e. the date when our proposals can be brought into effect. Thus, except where we have made specific proposals, the implementation date of each of our recommendations should be dealt with by the Administration. As a general guide, recommendations concerning grades the consideration of which was deferred in our Report No. 2 should be implemented from 1st October 1979, although this would not apply in every case, for example where new ranks are involved. Our other recommendations should where practicable be implemented from a current date. We recommend the current date should be 1st October 1980.