CO129-599-2 Salaries Commission- 1947 Report 1-1-1947 - 31-12-1949 — Page 32

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for other departments where it is advantageous for the staff to be housed in the vicinity of their work. Most men in the public service are local residents and can reasonably be expected to rent their own accommodation. In view of the large proportion of European style accommodation which was destroyed or damaged as a result of the Japanese occupation and the general shortage of European style houses, we consider it reasonable that Government should as far as possible relieve overseas officers of the anxiety of finding accommodation for themselves and should continue to provide quarters for such officers, who should properly bo expected to pay economic rents.

Language Allowance.

4.8.

We recommend the complete abolition of language allowances in the case of officers accepting the new scales of pay, for we consider that where a knowledge of a language is essential for the proper performance of an officer's duties, it should be part of his conditions of service that he should qualify in that language before he is confirmed to the permanent pensionable establishment at the end of his probationary period. In grades in which a knowledgo of a particular language is essential, we have provided for a three year probation period as against a two year probation period for grades in which such knowledgo is not required. Where a knowledge of a particular language is desirable but not essential, we recommend that officers who obtain Government's permission to study a language, should on qualifying be granted an appropriate bonus. Similarly, where an officer is required by Government to learn a special dialect or language for special dutios, or to reach an unusually high standard in any language, we recommend the payment of an appropriate bonus. Where officers are required or are given permission to study a particular language, tuition expenses should be mot in full by Government.

Fuel and Light Allowances.

49.

The fuel and light allowances payable to certain officers under General Order 113 clearly had their origin in the days when officers of these categorics were required to live in barracks and received low salaries which were compensated for by benefits in kind. When officers in these categories were called upon or permitted to live in privately rented quarters they received allowances to make up for the loss of the privileges enjoyed in barracks. As the cost of fuel and light must be reflected in any cost of living index, we recommend the abolition of these allowances if the officers at present entitled

We have taken to them accept the revised salary scales. the loss of these privileges into account in assessing salaries for the grades affected and consider that all officers, whether living in Government married quarters or in privately ronted accommodation, should pay for the fuel and light which they consume. Any fluctuations in the cost of light and fuel will, of course, be reflected in the high cost of living allowance until conditions become stabilised. We consider, however, that an exception should be made in respect of officers roquired to live in communal barrack accommodation who