§ 71. Mr. C. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give for the Gold Coast, in the case of European and African medical officers having, respectively, the same qualifications, the period of probationary service, the periodicity and amount of salary increments, and the maximum salary attainable; whether in either case there is an efficiency bar and whether quarters are provided; and whether there are any appointments open to Europeans only?
Mr. M. MacDonaldAs the reply contains a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. WilsonIs there an efficiency bar?
§ Following is the reply:
§ The scale of salary for a European medical officer in the Gold Coast is £660 a year for three years, then £690 a year rising by annual increments of £30 to £840 a year, then, subject to passing an efficiency bar, £880 a year rising by annual increments of £40 to £1,000 a year. The period of probation is three years, and free quarters are provided. The scale of salary for an African medical officer in 1993 the Gold Coast is £500 a year rising by annual increments of £25 to £600 a year, thence, subject to passing an efficiency bar, rising by annual increments of £30 to £720 a year. The period of probation is three years, and free quarters are not provided. Whilst awaiting probationary appointment, an African (suitably qualified) may be employed as a junior medical officer in one of the larger hospitals of the Gold Coast for a period of preliminary training during which he is granted salary at the rate of £400 a year. At present, the higher posts in the Medical Department of the Gold Coast are normally filled by European officers belonging to the Colonial Medical Service. No appointments are, however, actually reserved for European officers, and in the medical, as in the other branches of the Service, African officers are fully eligible to be considered on their merits for promotion to any appointments for which they may be qualified.