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XCR(75)236
4
ere would have been an increase of about 9% costing in the reglen of $8 million for a full year. In fact, no increase has been granted in 1975. It is not possible to give a meaningful assessment of the likely future cost of applying the proposed criteria because of a number of unknown factors, such as future movements in the cost of living and civil service salaries, as well as the growth in the size of the civil service and the number of pensioners,
Public relations implications
7
The proposal is likely to be welcomed by retired civil servants and will probably be considered as fair by the community at large.
Conclusion
8
The six criteria set out in paragraph 3 will provide a substantial protection to pensioners in times of financial uncertainty, Consideration has been given to the need for or desirability of ens shrining them in the law, as in the UK, Australia, and elsewhere, but it is thought that in Hong Kong the formal approval of these criteria by the Governor in Council combined with a public statement in the Legislative Council, will be sufficient to ensure that they are duly observed.
9
Honourable Members will be asked to advise whether the six criteria recommended by the Working Party should be formally accepted as the basis for assessing future increases in civil service pensions.
(The Secretary for the Civil Service (Mr A.J. SCOTT) will attend before the Council for the discussion of this item).
22nd November 1975
( CR L/M 0 in CR 2/4406/74)
abe f
COUNCIL CHAMBER
C.C. 84
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