INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES
Cypher (0.T.P.)
COPY TO Restor
FROM HONG KONG (Sir A Grantham)
D. 22nd March, 1948. R. 22nd
#
16.40 hrs.
177
237
ION
? This does not freemo
Because basic
Salary rent deductions
are fixart in relation
Keach the
IMMEDIATE
No. 330 3ecret
•
Your telegram No. 354 (231)
Cost
Cost of Living Allowances.
Following personal for Seal.
24
4
Begins.
I understand from press reports that both
Singapore Government and Federation of Malaya have rejected Trusted Commission's recommendations in respect of cost of living allowances. If this correct I do not think that it would be reasonable to expect Hong Kong officers to wait until roviced Haleyan rates are settled before decision can bo givan regarding Hong Kong cost of living. Until joint consultations have taken place between Hong Kong Board of Review and Committee accurate and detailed comparison of Hong Kong and Malayan cost of living is impossible, but I would like to stresa point that rents charged for Government quarters in Hong Kong are at least three time those recommended for Halaya. This factor alone means that Hong Kong scale of allowances could never be the same as Malayan Boale even if cost of living in both Territories were identical. I urge therefore that Hong Kong case be dealt with now and on its wo merits and that attempt to find a common yardstick be left to the joint machinery at time of review.
2.
Although Army officers enjoy all the benefits in
(195) kind enumerated in paragraph 1 of my telegram No. 87, I
understand that as from 1st February, 1948, local overseas allowance for married army officers in Hong Kong is as follows:-
Tank
Unaccommodated rate in H.K.dollara
per mensein
General officer
851.66
Brigadier
815.66
Colonels and Lt. Cols.
778.66
Majors, Captaine,
Lieutenants
742.16
Accommodated rate in H.I. dollars par
mensem
630
559.66
559.66
523.16
DENGAN LUPACCATALANS TO MAN
I note principle of tapering off higher salaries is not (repeat not) adopted by the War Office.
33
In view of these figures, rates originally proposed (corrupt group) Commission are very modest, but alue rate of expatriate pay on higher salaries now approved
/are