8.
9.
appear to be trying to obtain for their staff terms
that are normally only given to established staff
transferred between Governments. This is particularly
the case in the matter of seniority;
(c) the M.P.B.W. terms will cause great dissatisfaction in
the affected grades of the Hong Kong Government service
and will be strongly contested by the Staff Unions
concerned.
It is suggested that:-
(a) we need to know more about exact terms M.P.B.W.
are seeking for their staff;
(b) we need some authoritative confirmation (i.e. from
Treasury) that such terms represent U.K. practice
before we could even consider whether to recommend
that the Hong Kong Government reconsider their
position;
(c) to these ends officials might meet under Treasury
auspices and draw up proposals for consideration by
Ministers (the question would not go back to 0.F.D.
if the Ministers chiefly concerned were able to agree);
Retention of Direct Labour Building Force.
The M.P.B.. should say precisely why this work cannot
be carried out by contract. Failing this, we have no counter-
argument to Hong Kong who, as M.P.B.. have admitted, have a very
efficient P.W. Department which holds that this work can be
efficiently performed by contract.
HONG KONG and WEST INDIAN DEPARTLENT "C",
18th January, 1967.