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In any rank structure it is necessary to strike a balance between the need for simplicity (broadbanding) and the need for pay to give adequate recognition to the differing levels of responsibility carried. Since this Committee was set up in 1964 the number of points in the Non-Judicial and Legal Directorate has in fact varied between 9 and 13, and today numbers 12. Not all of these points are contained in all career streams. For example, a Public Works Department officer's normal career progression does not include ranks at D2, D5, D7 or D8. An Administrative Officer's progression does not include D3, D4, D6 or D7.
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Clearly in an organisation embracing such a wide field of activity as the Hong Kong public service the needs of professional specialisation act as a constraint upon lateral mobility. There is nevertheless an obligation to ensure the best possible use of scarce administrative and professional talent. We have concluded that a reduction in the number of points on the Directorate scale will, by reducing the number of different ranking progressions, eliminate one of the obstacles to the achievement of this objective. We therefore now recommend the combination of:-
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8
D2 and D3
D4 and D5
D6 and D7
D9 and D10
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to provide one level for Assistant Directors, the "Government" rank in the Public Works Department and the Assistant Commissioner rank in the Royal Hong Kong Police Force.
to provide a single rank mainly covering Deputies in Groups II and III departments, "Principal Government" rank in the Public Works Department and Senior Assistant Directors in Group I departments.
to place on a single rank Heads of Group III departments and Deputies of Group I departments.
to promote flexibility by establishing a single rank at this level.
The overall result is to reduce the scale to 8 points.
We further recommend the substantive appointment of Administrative Service officers to the combined D6/D7 rank. This would in effect be a return to the position as it was in 1974 when the former Administrative Officer Staff Grades 'B' 1 and 2 were combined. We recognise in saying this that the insertion of an extra step in the administrative ladder needs to be considered carefully to ensure that the resultant pyramid of posts makes sense in management terms. Otherwise it could inhibit rather than help the very flexibility which the overall restructuring is intended to achieve.
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The combination of D6 and D7 also means that grading of deputies of Group I departments will no longer vary according to how many posts are provided. This recognises the trend for Group I departments to acquire multiple deputies as they expand.
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