3
an officer contemplating a career in the Service would firstly
examine his initial prospects, but before finally deciding to
continue in the Service he must examine his chances of promotion
throughout the range of posts conjointly with the value of
these posts. The latter we contend constitute his virtual
prospects and this view appears to be shared by the Anomalies
Committee in paragraph 15b of their report wherein the better
pensionable emoluments of a grade higher than that to which an
Engineer is appointed, is advanced as a means of attracting
recruits. If Salaries and pensionable emoluments are to be
subjected to frequent amendment prospects would be illusory
and of little assistance in persuading the right type of officer
to join the service.
11. Dealing with the last sentence of Secretary of State's
quotation, if the proposed scales were applied to officers
on the old scales on promotion there would arise the very
situation which the Secretary of Scate deplores viz:- two
officers drawing different salaries for performing identical
duties the only claim by the higher paid officer to preferential
treatment being that he happened to join the service shortly
before the lower paid officer. Had they enjoyed different
prospects from the commencement of their services the situation
might be regarded as peculiar but not unreasonable.
12. In the past one of the main attractions of Government
service has been its security. This security has been largely
depreciated in the past few years by arbitrary cuts in salary
which later events have proved to be unjustified.
Further
depreciation is now contemplated by reductions in the prospects
of officers who by their length of service are not in a position
to seek alternative careers. Loss of security can only lead to
the commercialisation of the Service.
13.
In view of the foregoing submissions, of the statement
of the Secretary of State that he considers Engineers at present
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