The public service
15. The public service currently employs some 180,000 staff. It
consists of a Government Secretariat comprising 16 policy and
resource branches, and 59 departments and agencies. These cover a
wide variety of functions, such as policing, education and social
services, that in many countries are the responsibility of local or municipal authorities. The public service is headed by three senior officials, each of whom has the right of direct access to the
Governor. The Chief Secretary is head of the public service,
advises the Governor on matters of policy, and is principally responsible for its implementation. The Financial Secretary is
responsible for the Government's financial and economic policies,
including the presentation of the annual estimates of revenue and
expenditure to the Legislative Council. The Attorney-General is the
Government's legal adviser and is responsible for the drafting of
all legislation. He has independent responsibility for the conduct
of all prosecutions.
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