Reference.. HKK 5/26
191
Mr. Stewart
I am afraid that I have had these papers for rather a long time; my apologies.
2.
The present matter, at (8), stemmed from a letter addressed to Lord Shepherd from the Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants' Association during his visit to the Colony in June. This letter was acknowledged at the time, but it was subsequently decided to ask the Governor if a full reply would be appropriate or not, and for his comments. The two major points raised by the Association are:
3.
(1) Should they continue to support the year old
Senior Civil Service Council under its present Constitution?
(2) They suggest that "as part of the general move
towards improving labour relations and social stability in Hong Kong, it would be beneficial to institute some form of Royal Commission to enquire into the matter of staff relations in the Hong Kong Civil Service".
The Association have also discussed these matters with Daniel Jones, M.P., who visited the Colony in April 1969.
4.
Hong Kong's reply is not entirely satisfactory, and their rather curt draft text for a reply to the Association seems more likely to exacerbate the situation. It is hardly a well reasoned reply. On (1) above it seems that the HKCCSA did eventually agree to an extension of the Council's work for a further year, with only one minor amendment to the Constitu- tion the additional appointment of a staff side secretary.
5. The idea of the Royal Commission does not, on the face of it, seem to be particularly appropriate, although a more discreet form of enquiry might have its uses. Alternatives apart, Hong Kong have not made any comment on this proposal in their despatch to us, but have included the following passage in their draft reply:
6.
"I am to say that neither the Secretary of
State nor Lord Shepherd can agree that there is any need to appoint a Commission to enquire into staff relations in the Hong Kong Civil Service. In forming this opinion, they have taken due account of the grievances you have mentioned in your letter, and the note of the meeting you held with Mr. Daniel Jones, M.P. in April 1969. It appears to the Secretary of State that the Senior Civil Service Council ...
... provides adequate machinery for full and frank discussion of service wide matters that concern the staff. He notes, too, that provision still exists for individual Associations to represent sectional matters outside the Council and that the right of individuals by way of petition are not affected by the creation of the Senior Civil Service Council."
It is questionable whether the SCSC is the right vehicle for the tasks an enquiry would fulfil it
/ might
...