54247/9/49
2
43
8th October, 1949.
Dear Sir Alan,
I enclose, to be laid before His Majesty, petition from the European Inspectors' Association of the Hong Kong Police Force, in which they raise a number of questions about their conditions of service. The petition was received some time ago, but before submitting it to His Majesty, with advice as to the reply which should be sent, Mr. Creech Jones found it necessary to consult the Governor on a number of questions (particularly in regard to the present cost of living and the pensionable status of these officers) and the correspondence has only just been completed, The Secretary of State has asked me to express his regret for the delay which has occurred.
The grievances raised by the Association are summarised in the last paragraph of the pe ti ti on. Briefly they are:-
(1) that the emoluments of their members, as revised in 1948 as the result of the findings of the Salaries Commission, are inadequate both to the nature of their duties and to the present cost of living in Hong Kong; and that certain allowances previously payable have been abolished;
(2) that the option which they received between the old and revised terms of service was inequitable, since neither was adequate, and that an opportunity of reconsideration should be granted;
(3) that officers who were recruited for the Hong Kon Police Force from Police Forces in the United Kingdom (other than those from the Metropolitan Police, in whose case special arrangements apply) cannot count their police service in the United Kingdom for pension.
The Right Honourable
Sir Alan Lascelles,
G.C.V.0., K.C.B., C.M.G., M.C.
/Mr. Creech Jones