J
3/6490.
Admiralty,
8th June, 1899.
40.1
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 17th ultimo, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that they have no objection to twelve men of the Royal Marines (between 18 and 25 years of age) being allowed to volunteer for service with the Hong Kong Police Force.
The conditions which would attach to men who so volunteered would be those laid down in Article 1150 of the Army Pay Warrant, viz., "their time under the Colonial Government would not be allowed to count as qualifying service for Pension, unless they returned three years before completing time for pension."
With reference to the second paragraph of your letter, I am to request that a further supply of the form setting forth the conditions of service may be sent for circulation, together with information as to the qualifications laid down.
Under Secretary of State,
COLONIAL OFFICE,
S.V.
I am, &c.
(Signed) Evan Macgregor.