§ 85. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the discontent among the civilian employees of the three Service Departments in Singapore and Malaya because of the delays in 16W dealing with wage claims; and what action he proposes to take in this matter.
§ Mr. HeadFor many months the unions representing local non-industrial employees of the Service Departments in Singapore and Malaya have been pressing that local government rates of pay should be applied to employees of the Service Departments.
The pay policy adopted by the Service Departments has been to keep broadly in line with the level of total emoluments paid by the general body of local good employers, private as well as public, for similar work. This policy has recently been reaffirmed and the local commanders-in-chief have been instructed to inform the unions accordingly in reply to their representations.
The commanders-in-chief have power to review the pay and allowances of local employees at any time, and in conformity with the policy described many improvements have been made recently.