CO129-601-4 Salaries Commission- Medical and Health Department 10-5-1949 - 16-3-1950 — Page 6

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(5 of 54247/9)

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I attach a note showing the salary scales of comparable posts in Hong Kong and also the comparative value of Health Inspectors' posts in East Africa. Paragraph 1 of 9 says that six posts of Senior Health Inspector have been created on the scale 840 - $960 (i.e. maximun 11,520 per annum). According to 1950 estimates, the maximum is 12,480 per amun and I have quoted that figure in the dit note.

2. The East African scules are given because last year they were the subject of discussion with representatives of the Sanitary Inspectors Association. The scale formerly had a maximum of 2040. The Association refused to accept Crown Agents' advertisement for that scale and as a result it was extended to £1,000. Even so the Crown Agents are unable to recruit on the minimum of the scale and can only obtain candidates who are given the benefit of several increments in the scale under the War service Credit Scheme.

3. The Crown Agents inform me that they were asked by Hong Kong in September, 1949, to recruit four Health Inspectors, but so far they have only one candidate. They were able to interest this candidate because they could give him four increments for war service credit. He has not yet accepted the post.

4. It is questionable to what extent the Hong Kong C.O.L.A. should be taken into account in comparing the salary of the Hong Kong posts with those of East Africa, but I consider the allowance should be disregarded as it provides for an exceptionally high cost of living. The Health Inspectors' scule in Hong Kong is considerably lower than the East African scale. Apart from that comparison, the Hong Kong Health Inspectors' scale is not in line with the salaries of comparable posts in the same Colony. I have discussed with Dr. Buchanan, in Dr. Austin's absence, and he considers that Health Inspectors, Radiographers and Laboratory Technicians should be on the same rates of salary and that all three snould be on a scale slightly lower, say by one increment, than Pharmacists. That is, in fact, the salary structure auopted by Colonial Governments generally. The Pharmacists' period of training is about one year longer than that of the others and his qualifications may be regarded as higher

5. Paragraph 4 of 9 says that any revision in the salaries of Health Inspectors would entail revision of salaries of Police sub-Inspectors, Prison Officers Grade I, etc. But those posts are not comparable and I consider the basis of comparison should be as stated in the previous paragraph. should, however, be noted in this connection that a petition by Police Inspectors for improved salaries was turned down last year as it was considered that their emoluments were adequate, when the recently revised rate of C.Q.L.A. was taken into account.

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6. In my opinion, an appropriate salary scale for European Health Inspectors in Hong Kong, who..have passed the examination of the Royal Sanitary Institute, should be the present scale but with a minimun of $7,200, 1.e. $7,200, 67,200, 67680 480 to $9,600 a year. The Governor should be asatu to consider combining the scale with that of Jenior Health Inspectors to make one long scale for both posts with a maximum of $12,480, but we need not press this as

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