§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government a question of which I have given them private notice: Whether His Majesty's Government are yet in a position to make an announcement about the terms to be granted to the Secretary of State's officers of the Burma Services on the transfer of power.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA AND BURMA (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL)My Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Marquess for putting this question. I am glad to be able to inform the House that I am now in a position to make an announcement about the terms to be granted to the Secretary of State's officers of the Burma Services on the transfer of power. As the announcement is rather long, I will, with the permission of the noble Marquess, circulate it in the Official Report. In addition, a White Paper is being laid today which can be obtained in the Printed Paper Office.
§ [The statement was as follows:
§ 1. In my statement of 30th April on compensation for Secretary of State's officers of the Indian Services I said I hoped to be able to make a very early announcement regarding compensation for the Services in Burma.
§ 2. Many of the officers in the Burma Civil Service Class I, the Burma Police Class I and other civilian services in Burma were, in fact recruited to the Indian Civil Service, the Indian Police or other Indian Services before Burma was separated from India and an assurance was given to these officers that their Indian Service rights would not be infringed by the Act of separation. Provisions identical in effect to those contained in Part X of the Government of India Act, 1935, were incorporated in the Government of Burma Act of the same year. The pledge given in 1945 at the time of the resumption of recruitment to the Secretary of State's Services in India and Burma was addressed to the Burma Ser- 1268 vices equally with the Indian Services. It is therefore clear that the intention of Parliament with regard to compensation for careers and prospects prejudiced by constitutional change applies to Burma no less than to India.
§ 3. Discussion of the compensation question with the Government of Burma has, however, shown the existence of important differences between the position in India and the position in Burma in this matter. In the first place the Government of Burma have stated that it will not be possible to offer to officers of the Secretary of State's Services whether European or Burman, who remain in service under Government in Burma after the transfer of power conditions of service as favourable as those enjoyed at present. Further the Government of Burma have indicated that they do not in their opinion need the retention of the services of European officers of the Secretary of State's Services.
§ 4. His Majesty's Government have reviewed the situation in the light of all the relevant circumstances and they are satisfied that there is a clear case for granting compensation to European officers of the Secretary of State's Services in Burma on the same scales as those already announced for the Indian Services. His Majesty's Government appreciate the reasons which have led the Government of Burma to a decision that the existing terms of service for the Burma Services cannot be maintained after the transfer of power. They feel that this fact gives rise to a case for the grant of some measure of compensation to Burman officers as well as to European officers.
§ 5. But there is a radical difference in the effect which the transfer of power will have on the position of European and Burman officers respectively. Opportunities for European officers to continue to serve under the Government of Burma will, as I have indicated, be very few and even in the case of those few who are offered and accept such employment, it must be remembered that they will not be serving under the ultimate control of the Parliament of their own country, and their prospects, even if the existing terms of service were continued, could not be held to be the same as in the past. Burman officers on the other hand will be able to continue to serve their own country and their prospects of reaching the highest posts in the service though on lower scales of remuneration will be improved.
§ 6. The Government of Burma are most anxious not to lose the services of experienced Burman officers, and they feel that sentiments of patriotism will impel these officers to continue to serve their country. His Majesty's Government are fully aware of the urgent needs of the Government of Burma to retain the services of experienced officers and they, in turn, wish to avoid the adoption of any plan which might deter Burman officers from continuing to serve their own Government. In all the circumstances they consider that in view of the lower rate of pay offered to officers who continue in service, Burman officers other than those in the three special categories mentioned below should receive compensation at one quarter of the 1269 rates fixed for European officers. With this compensation and the improved prospects of promotion available, every Burman officer (subject to three categories specially excepted) can fairly be regarded as having an equivalent career open to him,
§ 7. The Government of Burma have agreed that compensation on the same scales as for European officers shall be payable to Burman officers who: (i) are not invited to continue to serve under the Government of Burma after the transfer of power, (ii) can satisfy the Governor that their actions done in good faith in the course of duty during service prior to the transfer of power have damaged their prospects or (iii) can show to the satisfaction of the Governor that through no fault of their own they have legitimate cause for anxiety about their future in Government Service in Burma.
§ 8. In each case in which compensation is admissible it will fall due on the transfer of power and will be granted in addition to such retiring or proportionate pension as is admissible under the rules. The Government of Burma have agreed that officers who enter on a new engagement with them shall draw the pension they have earned as Secretary of State's officers in addition to the reduced pay admissible in the new post.
§ 9. It is the earnest hope of His Majesty's Government that officers will avail themselves freely of the opportunities which will exist for further Government Service for many of those who will become entitled to compensation. The terms of such further employment will be a matter for consideration; but where British officers of the civil services accept appointment to another civil service under His Majesty's Government on a permanent pensionable basis they will receive no compensation but will be eligible for a resettlement grant of £500 on terms which have already been announced.
§ 10. The development of the policy of His Majesty's Government for Constitutional advance in Burma may affect regular officers and other ranks serving in the Burma Forces in a similar way to the members of the civil services. Most of the individuals affected are members of British or Indian Services for whom provision already exists under the arrangements applicable to their parent service in India. If it should be found that there are such officers, warrant officers, or non-commissioned officers not otherwise covered, they will be entitled to the terms admissible to corresponding ranks under the Indian Scheme.
§ 11. The source from which the monies involved will ultimately come must be a matter to be dealt with hereafter, but so far as the individuals affected are concerned they have the assurance of His Majesty's Government that they will receive the monies to which they will become entitled. His Majesty's Government also undertake that the officers to whom this announcement relates and who do not continue in the service of the Government of Burma will be secured in their rights to the leave due to them on the termination of their service as Secretary of State's officers.
1270§ 12. The Government of Burma accept liability for pension and proportionate pension earned by service under the Secretary of State whether by civilians or by members of the Defence Services.
§ 13. His Majesty's Government have accordingly authorised the Governor to make the announcement which is published in a White Paper laid to-day. The White Paper also contains tables setting out the scales of compensation for the various Services affected.]