46
4.
5.
would not be eligible for a pension if called upon to retire at 45. Although the pension position of such officers in respect of their United Kingdom service is still in doubt, it should be borne in mind that their previous Police service over the age of 26 was taken into account in fixing their position on the old scale and that this is reflected in enhanced emoluments which in turn will affect their eventual pension from this Government.
While it is true that a Police officer will now have to serve 33 1/3 years in order to qualify for the maximum rate of pension instead of 25 years under his previous terms, his pensionable emoluments are now greater. Previously he received no addition to pensionable emoluments in respect of his free quarters and no addition if he was retired on abolition of office. An Inspector retiring at 45 on the maximum of the old scale after 25 years service would under the old scheme receive an unreduced pension of two thirds of £535 = £356 -13 4. per annum. Under the revised scheme he would get half of £930 = £465 per annum. Every year served after 45 would increase his pension.
Paragraph 19 The supposition that because the revised terms were made retrospective to 1st January, 1947, officers seconded or transferred from United Kingdom forces would lose all their service prior to that date is unwarranted. Officers engaged on five year contracts since 1945 who have had previous service in a United Kingdom Force are regarded, on accepting the revised terms, as on three years' probation dating from their arrival in the Colony. If at the end of this three year period (which will in most cases expire early in 1949) their services are considered satisfactory, they will be confirmed to the Hong Kong permanent pensionable establishment. At the same time those officers who wish to revert to their parent force will be allowed to do so. if their parent force will have them. Their position vis-a-vis their parent force is not affected in any way by the fact that as far as this Government is concerned they are regarded as on probation until early 1949. The position is a somewhat complicated one and has been carefully explained to the officers concerned, but is apparently still misunderstood. Even if negotiations with their parent forces for their previous service to count as pensionable are unsuccessful, their service in this Colony will, if they are confirmed, be pensionable from the date of their first appointment and not merely from 1st January, 1947.
Paragraph 20 All officers from United Kingdom Police Forces have been informed in as much detail as possible of the position regarding their previous service in each individual case and further comment on the contentions in this paragraph appears unnecessary.
Paragraph 21. The pension position of officers transferred from the Metropolitan Police has been safeguarded and the position of the other officers affected is as set out in your despatch No.46 of 17th February, (42)) 1948.
Paragraph 22. This point has been dealt with in your telegram No.640 of (21); 5th June, 1948, and the necessary action is being taken to implement your 3723/6/48
decision.
Paragraph 23. I do not consider that the question of altering the date from which revised emoluments are payable can be reopened.
In view of the considerations set out in the preceding paragraphs I recommend that His Majesty be advised graciously to direct that a reply be sent to the petitioners in the following terms:-
(i) that officers who have signed option forms cannot be allowed to revoke
or reconsider/