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with Government quarters, we recommend the deduction of an economic rent not exceeding 16.2/3% subject to a ceiling of $350 per month. In cases where officers are required, in connexion with their duties, to live in self-contained Government quarters, in, for example, Police Stations or hospitals, we consider that the deduction should be appropriately reduced. In the case of local married officers who are required to live communally in barracks or coolie quarters, we recommend that the deduction should be of a nominal percentage only. If rent control should be removed and rents for appropriate accom- modation should temporarily advance in excess of one sixth of an officer's salary, we recommend that an appropriate adjustment should be made in the cost of living allowance. In such an event officers occupying Government quarters could either receive the additional high cost of living allowance and pay an increased rent or pay the previous rent and receive no addition to their high cost of living allowance. It appears to us improbable in view of the present acute housing shortage and the high cost of building that rents will fall below existing controlled levels for many years.
47. Although the provision of Government quarters for the whole of the public service would undoubtedly have many beneficial effects, it appears to us to be impracticable on account of the vast expenditure which would be involved. We understand that in the case of the Police Force it is Government's policy ultimately to provide quarters for all officers and we advocate the building or acquisition by Government of quarters for other departments where it is advantageous for the staff to be housed in the vicinity of their work. Most men in the public service are local residents and can reasonably be expected to rent their own accommodation. In view of the large proportion of European style accommodation which was destroyed or damaged as result of the Japanese occupation and the general shortage of European style houses, we consider it reasonable that Government should as far as possible relieve overseas officers of the anxiety of finding accommodation for themselves and should continue to provide quarters for such officers, who should properly be expected to pay economic rents.
LANGUAGE ALLOWANCE
48. We recommend the complete abolition of language allowances in the case of officers accepting the new scales of pay, for we consider that where a knowledge of a language is essential for the proper performance of an officer's duties, it should be part of his conditions of service that he should qualify in that language before he is confirmed to the permanent pensionable establish- ment at the end of his probationary period. In grades in which a knowledge of a particular language is essential, we have provided for a three year probation period as against a two year probation period for grades in which such knowledge is not required. Where a knowledge of a particular language is desirable but not essential, we recommend that officers who obtain Govern- ment's permission to study a language, should on qualifying be granted an appropriate bonus. Similarly, where an officer is required by Government to learn a special dialect or language for special duties, or to reach an unusually high standard in any language, we recommend the payment of an appropriate bonus. Where officers are required or are given permission to study a particular language, tuition expenses should be met in full by Government.
FUEL AND LIGHT ALLOWANCES
49. The fuel and light allowances payable to certain officers under General Order 113 clearly had their origin in the days when officers of these categories were required to live in barracks and received low salaries which were compensated for by benefits in kind. When officers in these categories were called upon or permitted to live in privately rented quarters, they received allowances to make up for the loss of the privileges enjoyed in barracks. As the cost of fuel and light must be reflected in any cost of living index, we recommend the abolition of these allowances if the officers at present entitled to them accept the revised salary scales. We have taken the loss of these privileges into account in assessing salaries for the grades affected and consider that all officers, whether living in Government married quarters or in privately rented accommodation, should pay for the fuel and light which they consume. Any fluctuations in the cost of light and fuel will, of course, be reflected in the high cost of living allowance until conditions become stabilised. We consider, however, that an exception should be made in respect of officers required to live in communal barrack accommodation who should not be charged for fuel and light. This recommendation is intended to compensate them for the austerity of barrack accommodation and the fact that if they are married their families will require quarters, fuel and light elsewhere.