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51. The Hong Kong Government have for many years given suitable local candidates preference in recruitment to the
Civil Service. The result has been an increasing number of
local officers in the more senior ranks. On 1 October 1990,
70 per cent of the 3,963 officers holding positions at the
senior management/professional level and above were local
officers. At the directorate level, the most senior ranks
in the Civil Service, local officers represented about 60
per cent of a total of 1,262 officers. The Hong Kong Government are confident that the continued application of
this policy will enable top posts in the Civil Service to be
filled by local officers by 1997.
52. The Police force should be predominantly staffed by local officers by the year 2000. At present overseas
officers constitute about 62 per cent of the force at the
rank of Superintendent and above while three-quarters of the Inspectorate are local officers. Steps are being taken to identify more local officers for promotion and to provide
training to develop their potential.
53. In 1990, the overall turnover rate was about 5.5 per
cent of the strength of the Civil Service, lower than in
most major companies in the private sector. Resignation rates at the directorate and senior management/professional
levels were below 2 per cent. Nonetheless, the ability of
the private sector to offer better terms and conditions has
made certain grades susceptible to higher wastage. Some
grades have also lost staff through emigration. Measures to
ensure the retention of adequate experience and expertise in
these grades are under consideration.
54. In October 1990, a new civil service housing package
was introduced. The main objectives of the new package are to make more effective use of resources and to encourage
home ownership among civil servants. Staff response towards
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