CODE 18-77
(HMSO 12/76)
HKA 412/393/3.
Reference....
(9
Mr West
1.
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Breren
As Mr Greenwood points out CR18 was designed to ensure that preference in the matter of promotion was given to career p and p types even if they were working in another territory. This principle has been eroded by the shrinkage in the colonial field and by internal machinations in Hong Kong. I think, however, that it is possible that it would be carrying this erosion too far, localisation plans notwithstanding, to exclude p and p people serving in other departments within Hong Kong, from applying for inter- departmental transfer on promotion. This is in line with Mr Green's compromise set out in his minute of 13 March.
2.
On the position of contract officers, I would think it the case that in most dependent territories, or elsewhere, they do not generally have access to promotion posts. They are appointed for a short term period of 2 or 3 years on finite terms and generally the only commitment to them is that set out in their contract. ccasionally a seconded British Civil Servant will, after arrival, be given a responsibility allowance but only occasionally are contract people upgraded after arrival.
3. I do not know much about the structure and gradings of the Hong Kong Civil Service, nor about their Public Service Commission regulations. Presumably, however, large numbers of contract officers renew their contracts for long periods or might even have multi-tour contracts. In this event, it is understandable that the Hong Kong Government may have taken them into the career structure. Indeed, the Colonial Office or was it the DTC, some twelve years ago was saying, in relation to some long term contracts, that they were trying to promote, that contract people should not be deprived of promotion prospects. (I mention this not because
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the event? I think it particularly valid now but because the Hong Kong administration had a habit of chastising us thirty years after the event, with aminous rown circulars.
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I must say that I find the Hong Kong circulars somewhat addled and if they are really considering trimming up p and p career prospects for purposes of localisation, they are immediately moving towards a limited compensation scheme for loss of career prospects, as HKGD obviously realise.
4.
Shin
FE Sitch
15 March 1978
1.A
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