BRIEF FOR MEISTER OF STATE
6
922 stat HK will take over all bu
about 40
TRANSFER OF M.P.B.W. LOCALLY-ENGAGED STAFF TO
Background
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
On 19th December, 1966, 0.P.D. approved new arrangements
by which Hong Kong would make an increased contribution to the cost
of the garrison. It was agreed that the Hong Kong Goverment should
assume responsibility for the maintenance of military buildings and
certain minor works. In 0.F.D. Mr. Prentice expressed dissatisfaction
with:-
(a) terms of transfer to be offered to locally
engaged staff of his Department;
(b) Hong Kong Government's intention to disband the
direct labour building force.
0.P.D. decision was that the Colonial Secretary should make suitable
representation to the Hong Kong Government about the terms of transfer
of M.P.B.W. staff.
2.
This was the first that this Department had heard of
these difficulties. Accordingly, Mr. Lee was not briefed to deal
with them in 0.P.D.
3.
this subject.
Ir. Prentice wanted to write direct to the Governor on
This we had to resist on the grounds that it did not
In Mr. Lee's
་
accord with the division of ministerial responsibilities.
absence it was decided to forward to the Governor, Hong Kong, a letter
which Mr. Frentice would write to Ir. Lee setting out the views, he had
expressed in 0.P.D. Mr. Prentice's letter of the 22nd December was
forwarded to the Governor on the 23rd December. The Governor replied
on the 9th January.
Transfer of Staff
40
Categories concer ed are professional supervisory
technical staff, technical staff and clerical steff.
5.
Hong Kong say they must follow the principles applied
in dealing with the Naval Dockyard redundancies. They would take on
/the