CONFIDENTIAL
15
For information
on 6 February 1990
HKB 431
13
NOTE FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
XCCI (90) 7
Copy No...2.3..
PROHIBITION ON CIVIL SERVANTS JOINING POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS
Mr McLaren 14/2 Mr Paul HAD
14/275
Ms Major
Mc
STONE Kk
Pa
7912
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
19FEB 1990
DESK OFFICER
REGISTRY
INDEX INTRODUCTION...n Taken
This note informs Members of the Administration's intention to prohibit certain categories of civil servants from joining political organisations.
BACKGROUND
2
Apart from disciplined officers of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force, civil servants are not prohibited from joining political organisations. However, in the light of the growth of such organisations, both in number and in the extent of their political activities, now consider that some civil servants should be subject to similar restrictions. This is necessary in order to maintain the political neutrality of the civil service and to ensure that government business is, and is seen to be, conducted impartially.
3
The categories of civil servants to whom the prohibition would apply are senior officers, and those officers who may be susceptible to accusations of bias because of the nature of their work. Specifically, the following officers will not be allowed to join organisations of a political nature
4
(a) all Directorate Officers;
(b)
(c)
(a)
all Administrative Officers irrespective of rank;
all Information Officers irrespective of rank;
and
officers acting in the above grade or rank with а view to substantive appointment
thereto.
organisations
For the purpose of this restriction, political are organisations which may, by the nature of objectives and/or past and present activities, or promote or advocate political views, or which or put forward candidates for election to
their stated subscribe to may advocate
CONFIDENTIA