· 83
therefore had some doubts as to whether or not there was still a functional need for the rank in the Education Department since the Polytechnic is no longer part of the Department. Consequently we made no amendment to the rank scale pending an examination of the need for the rank.
The results of our examination show that the existing circumstances of laboratories in schools and other training institutes of the Education Department do not necessitate the creation of posts in such a rank. We therefore recommend that the senior rank be deleted.
Existing
Laboratory Technician III
5
Laboratory Technician II
Laboratory Technician I
17
24
25
-
31
9.12
Magistrate (13.34)
36 posts
We received representations that there should be only one rank of Magistrate with a pay scale based on a percentage of the salary of a High Court Judge as is the practice in the United Kingdom. Since the level of pay sought was in excess of the maximum of the Master Pay Scale, and thus in an area outside our Terms of Reference, we were unable to consider this request until a decision was taken on whether or not Magistrates should be paid from the Directorate pay scale. Subsequently, we were advised that a Directorate pay scale had not been approved and we were asked to examine the grade within the framework of the Master Pay Scale.
The view has been expressed to us that, in addition to being professionally qualified, Magistrates need to be both mature and experienced even at the basic level of their work. We accept this view and recommend that the criteria for appointment should be amended to provide for a minimum age of 40 and at least ten years' professional experience. If these revised criteria for appointment are accepted, we would then propose that the existing ranks of Magistrate and Senior Magistrate be merged into a new rank of Magistrate with the following pay scale equivalent to other senior judicial/legal ranks at the top of the Master Pay Scale.