HC Deb 14 May 1919 vol 115 cc1571-2
22. Mr. GIDEON MURRAY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Governors of the various Crown Colonies and Protectorates have received instructions to consider and report upon the question of increasing, by way of war bonus or otherwise, the scales of salaries paid to Colonial Civil servants so as to make these more commensurate with the present high cost of living and heavy taxation; and, if not, whether he will consider the desirability of issuing such instructions?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Colonel Amery)

War bonus schemes designed to meet local conditions, which, of course, vary in different places, have been adopted in practically all the Colonies and Protectorates, and are reviewed by the Governments concerned from time to time.

23. Mr. G. MURRAY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing amongst the officials of the Colonial Civil Services at the present system of confidential reports, under which an unfavourable or adverse report by the Governor to the Colonial Office is not communicated to the official concerned; and whether he will take steps to alter that system and bring it into line with the Army procedure, which makes it incumbent upon a commanding officer to bring, before transmission, any unfavourable or adverse confidential report to the notice of the officer concerned?

Colonel AMERY

I am not aware that any general dissatisfaction is felt in connection with the present system of confidential reports on officers of the Colonial Civil service. The question whether the system should be altered as suggested by my hon. Friend has been repeatedly considered by successive Secretaries of State, who have decided against the proposal, and the Secretary of State agrees with them that the disadvantages of the proposed change would outweigh its advantages.

Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAY

Can the hon. Gentleman give any reason why successive Secretaries of State have treated these officers in a disadvantageous way?

Colonel AMERY

I shall be glad to discuss the question with my hon. Friend. It is generally connected with the efficiency of the service.