THE PUBLIC SERVICE
168885
CONFIDENTIAL
3,224
exparaink
Mic.
1. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute on behalf of HMG to the sense of responsibility with which the public service
in Hong Kong has continued to carry out its duties during these
uncertain times. They have made and are making a major contribution to Hong Kong's development. I have the highest regard for its efficiency, to which the spectacular economic and social development of Hong Kong bears witness. I would like also to assure Hong Kong's public servants, and my hon Friend, that HMG is fully aware of their concerns and fears, both through regular reports by
the Hong Kong Government and through representations received from
individual civil servants and staff associations. For reasons with
which Members will be familiar, I am not able to go into details now
about the contents of our talks with the Chinese in Peking. But I
can say that HMG's aim in these talks is to maintain the maximum
possible degree of continuity after 1997 in the public service as in
other areas. This continuity would cover such questions as the security of jobs, the payment of pensions and the preservation of
conditions of service.
2. A community as sophisticated as that of Hong Kong relies
heavily on the diverse and specialist skills of its public servants. The fabric of the government is complex. It is the determination of Her Majesty's Government to keep this fabric of government intact,
morale to maintain the work and efficiency of public servants at its present high level, so that the territory and its administration can
pass smoothly through the period of change that lies ahead.
[RETENTION OF BRITISH PERSONNEL
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DEFENSIVE]
3. Our aim is to maintain the maximum possible degree of continuity for members of the public service, regardless of nationality or race.
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4.
It is already the policy of the Hong Kong Government to recruit its civil service overwhelmingly from within Hong Kong and 98% of
CONFIDENTIAL