Secretariat file No. 14/4406/47
SAVINGRAM
Avand (781)
To the Secretary of State for the Colonias
From the Governor, Hong Kong.
Date 10th July, 1948.
RECEIVED
No.
475
5. CONFIDENTIAL.
3*3713/
23 JUL 1948 3.U. REGY.
(257)
94
Your confidential savingram 484 of 21st May, 1948. Salaries Commission.
1.
I am prepared to consider on their merits, for applica- tion of the Salaries Commission terms, officers who were on the Hong Kong establishment on 1.1.47 but were not on duty in the Colony on 1.1.47 provided they
a) have subsequently returned; b) have been seconded elsewhere;
c) were on leave prior to transfer.
In fact it is not anticipated that any cases will arise where application of the new terms to such officers would be refused.
2. I have considered again the desirability of extending application of the new terms to officers who were on the Hong Kong establishment on 1.1.47 but were not on duty in the Colony because they were on leave prior to retirement.
In
(230) my opinion the reasons stated in my telegram No. 317 of 19th
A
March, 1948, make relaxation of the rule set out in the Commission's Report undesirable. The proposal that officers who were on leave prior to retirement on 1.1.47 should be eligible for the new terms, amounts in most cases primarily to a revision of their pensions, with a readjustment of salary for a very short period only. I consider that the main object of the Salaries Commission was to introduce salaries and terms of service which would provide in the future adequate remuneration for officers who are continuing to servej this Government. The fact that retrspective application of the new terms to 1.1.47 has been granted to serving officer does not justify giving the same benefits to officers who, have ceased to work before that date. Provision exists for the payment of cost of living allowances on certain pensions computed on the old salaries and any question of making provisions for increased pensions must I think be considered quite separately from revision of pensionable emoluments, possibly by reviewing the rules regarding cost of living allowances on pensions.
3.
I consider that, while there are, under any rule, bound to be borderline cases, a firm stand must be taken on the line drawn and that representations from officers who are excluded by the proposed rule must be resisted. I would like to be able to consider hard cases on their merits, e.g. where an officer has been invalided just prior to 1.1.47, but I foresee that, if once an exception is made in an individual case it would be extremely difficult to refuse special treat- ment to others whose claims might be less strong. I consider that the reasons which have been adduced in this correspond- ence in support of the Commission's rule must be regarded as sufficient answer to any representations which may be made. I shall be grateful therefore if your approval may now be given.
4. The date to be taken as that of "final approval of the recommendations" is 1.1.48, which is the date on which announcement was made in Hong Kong of your approval of the main recommendations of the Commission.