single system of allowances will not be satisfactory. We recommend that, to reflect these developments, members should be given a salary to be topped up with a system of allowances to reimburse actual expenses incurred.
The salary
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The proposed salary is intended to give clear recognition to the very important work done by Legislative Council members, to provide sufficient means to sustain a reasonable standard of living for those who consider their work in the Legislative Council their primary occupation, and to provide an incentive for people from more humble backgrounds to come forward as candidates in Legislative Council elections. This is also consistent with the system adopted by more politically advanced countries, such as the UK, the USA and Canada.
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The method used to determine the salaries of legislators varies from country to country
in the U.K., salaries for members of the House of Commons are linked to the pay scale of Grade 6 officers in the Home Civil Service (roughly D2 in the Hong Kong scale); the salaries of members of the U.S. Congress (both Senate and House of Representatives) are not linked to the U.S. civil service pay scale, but although in 1987 the salary of a member of Congress was actually the same as that of a deputy head of a cabinet department (roughly D4).
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the
The level of salary considered adequate is a subjective judgement, but obviously account should be taken of status of Legislative Council members, their responsibilities as legislators, and their need to sustain a reasonable standard of living. Our soundings (taken from some political groupings) indicate that a salary roughly at the starting salary point of a Senior Administrative Officer would be considered reasonable. This works out to be $38,625, or say $38,000. We also consider this reasonable.
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However, we also need to consider how this level should be justified and adjusted regularly thereafter. Conceptually and practically this could be by reference to -
(a) civil service pay scales; or
(b)
(၁)
private sector pay levels; or
the Consumer Price Index.