64:46 CR
copy for 54247/9
15
29th July, 1947.
146
I have now been able to look into the points raised in your letter of the 5th of July, concerning the conditions of service of British Sub-Inspectors of Police in Hong Kong as described by one of thea,
Mr. H. Parsons, in a letter to the Member for Luton.
There is no doubt that the high cost of living in Hong Kong is causing considerable difficulty and anxiety to many officers of the Hong Kong administration. As you know, we are awaiting the Salaries Commission's report, but you should also know thet, about a month ago, the Secretary of State approved, as an interim measure pending the Cozzission's report, a substantial increase in the cost of living allowance for the lower paid grades of the Public Services, So far as Mr. Parsons is concerned this means that he is now in receipt of a cost of living allowance fifty per cent higher than at the time be wrote his letter. The exact increase in his case amounts to £87.10.-6. a year, making the total cost of living allowance £262.10.-4. a year in all.
We hope this additional measure of relief will suffice until the Commission's report has been received. Meanwhile se are sending a copy of Mr. Parson's letter to the Governor, in case the circumstanĉes he has described have not already been
Lt. Col. D.B. Rees Filliens, M.P.
brought