TNAG-0992-FCO40-1211-Policy-on-salaries-and-pensions-for-civil-service-in-Hong-Ko-1980 — Page 266

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from MPS Points 48 - 51 or the DPS equivalents. Civil service posts at present attracting MPS Points 43 -

45 or the DPS equivalents should in future be paid from MPS Points 44 - 47 or the DPS equivalents. Similarly, posts which at present have a maximum of MPS Point 45 or MPS Point 42 or DPS equivalents should have that maximum extended to MPS Point 47 or MPS Point 43 or the DPS equivalents respectively. The effect of these proposals is to extend the pay scale of the top rank on the Master Pay Scale or the Disciplined Services Pay Scale by three increments, the next rank by two increments, and where applicable, the third rank by one increment thus improving differentials generally at the upper end of the scales. We appreciate that there are one or two civil service posts with pay scales in the upper range of the Master Pay Scale which are not covered by this summary but these can be dealt with administratively within the context of our overall objectives.

We have also considered whether our recommended new scale structures should be applied on an individual grade basis. However, we have noted that the relativities between civil service pay at the level with which we are concerned have been established over many years and to apply our proposals on a selective basis would involve exercising a judgement on these relativities without any firm evidence for doing so. We therefore recommend that our revised scales be applied across-the- board.

If our proposals for restructuring the upper end of the Master Pay Scale and the Disciplined Services Pay Scale are accepted, we further recommend the conversion to the new scales should be in accordance with the standard rules. The majority of civil servants affected by our proposals will therefore benefit over a period thereby improving their prospects in the longer term rather than immediately. We also recommend that to avoid complications in ranks where incremental credit may be granted for previous experience, new recruits should not enter the revised pay scales at points above the previous maximum.

Although the recommendations contained in this letter are consequent upon the acceptance of recommendations for adjustments to the pay of the Directorate, we consider the date of implementation should be the same as the date of implementation of the recommendations in our First Report on Civil Service Pay i.e. 1st October 1979, since this is the date from which we would have made such changes had we not been constrained by the minimum of the Directorate Scale. We also consider it important that our revised scales, if