A/RES/53/209 Page 4 Taking note that the review of dependency allowances by the Commission reflected relevant changes in tax abatement and social legislation at the seven headquarters duty stations since 1996, as contained in paragraph 119 of its report,1 1. Approves, with effect from 1 January 1999, an increase of 14.6 per cent in the children’s allowance (including the allowance for disabled children) and in the secondary dependant’s allowance; 2. Takes note of the updated list of hard-currency duty stations for which the allowances are specified in local currency, as contained in annex III to the present resolution; 3. Notes that dependency allowances payable to eligible common system staff should be reduced by the amount of any direct payments received from a Government in respect of dependants; 4. Requests the Commission to undertake in 2000 an examination of the methodology, rationale and scope of the allowances; G. Post adjustment matters Operation of the post adjustment system Recalling section I.B of its resolution 50/208 and section I.E of its resolution 51/216, 1. Takes note of the conclusions of the Commission regarding the operation of the post adjustment system at the base of the system, as contained in paragraph 140 of its report;1 2. Requests the Commission to continue to explore the feasibility of using outside data sources for the next round of place-to-place surveys; Post adjustment at Geneva Recalling section I.B of its resolution 50/208, section I.E of its resolution 51/216 and section I.D of its resolution 52/216 related to the establishment of a single post adjustment index in respect of staff members whose duty station is Geneva, Requests the Commission, in the context of its preparation of the next round of place-to-place surveys, as referred to in paragraph 141 of its report,1 to conduct a comprehensive review of the post adjustment system as a whole with a view to its reform, with the assistance of independent experts, if necessary, keeping in mind the need for cohesion within the common system, and to ensure that the post adjustment at each duty station, with particular emphasis on headquarters duty stations, is fully representative of the cost of living of all staff members in the Professional and higher categories working at each duty station, and to report thereon to the General Assembly no later than at its fifty-fifth session; /...