CO129-601-1 Salaries Commission- currency basis of emolument 9-1-1948 - 5-6-1948 — Page 49

INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES

Cypher (0.T.P.)

COPY FOR RECT

FROM HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)

D. 9th March, 1948. R. 9th

量

f?

12.30 hr

"UFIVET.

IN REG

49 11

X

No. 274

(9).

Secret

Your tele,ran No. 309:

Currency basis of amoluments.

Expatriate officers are already somewhat disgruntled over decision regarding conversion of (? salary) from old to new scale, European Civil Servanta Council has also made representations to me regarding inadequacy of new scale of (? emoluments) bacio of salary, high cost of living sri expatriatimm allowance.

2.

Expatriate officers already in service enjoy sterling salary convertible while in the Colonies to local dollars at official rate,

3.

It will certainly be regarded as a breach of faith if price of changing from an inadequate salary 18 abandoned ( ? group omitted) of pensions calculated in sterling which was basic upon which they originally joined the service.

14.

sympathise with their anxiety in this respect and wild very much like to give an undertaking on behalf of this Government that, although all pensione vill in future be assessed in dollars, expatriate officera already in the derriçe, if they opt for new temas of service, may alao if they so desire opt to have their pansions calculated and paid in sterling at the rate of 216 to the pound. This would not apply to salaries while on leevés

5.

I believe that any other course would be unduly harsh and would give rise to a very rea), songe of grievanC § -

6.

The Malayan salaries I understand to have been constatantly quoted in dollars and Halayan case does not therefore seem relevant.

Correction being obtainsă.

Copies sent to :-

Treasury

Mr. D. R. Serpell, 0.B.B.