CO129-612-1 Police Department- petition from European memebers of Inspectorate 21-1-1947 - 17-2-1948 — Page 144

542/9/47

My dear Mac Dongall,

141

17

Colonial Office,

Downing Street,

S.W.1.

9th August, 1947.

Ano'd (36)

We have recently had one or two letters from Members of Parliament, and one Parliamentary Question, about a petition addressed to the Secretary of State through the Governor by Members of the Hong Kong Police Force who were recruited from United Kingdom Police Forces. Unfortunately no copy of the petition has been retained on our files, but to the best of our recollection it was dated about the 21st April or May. It raised specifically the question of the position of such members in regard to pension, previous service, seniority and prospects of promotion.

I enclose for your information copies of correspondence which Mr. Ivor Thomas has had with Captain Snow, M.P. and Colonel Rees Williams, M.P. on the subject, together with a copy of the Secretary of State's written reply to a Question by

You will Mr. Battley, M.P., dated the 5th August. see that Mr. Ivor Thomas' letters stated that revised letters of appointment are being, or by now proba bly have been, issued to the officers concerned. This was based on a misunderstanding that arose in the Office, for obviously the position of such officers cannot be clarified until you receive a reply to your telegram No.1184 of the 19th July, which we hope to send off very shortly. I trust this error will not have caused you any embarrassment locally.

D.M. MACDOUGALL, ESQ., C.M.G.

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