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until promoted to the posts now prescribed for CR19. The proposed change however does not affect the Secretary of State's role as "ultimate protector of the Public Service." (Paragraph 2.5 of DSP Volume 8). Further, any individual in the territory (including members of the public service) has the right to petition the Secretary of State on any matter. I therefore recommend that the Secretary of State's right of approval in disciplinary matters is limited to officers whose appointment was originally made or approved by him, and for the posts now prescribed for the purposes of CR19.
Retirement on Medical Grounds
11. Colonial Regulation 92 requires the Secretary of State's approval for the retirement of an officer on medical grounds, if the officer was selected for appointment by the Secretary of State. I recommend that this is no longer referred to the Secretary of State. Hong Kong Government
concur.
12. It is the Hong Kong Government's intention to remove all references to the Secretary of State from its civil service regulations and to promulgate these amendments in service-wide circulars. The Secretary of State's overall
responsibility for the service as a whole will also be made clear to the members of the public service affected by the
new arrangements.
13. In order to change the level of approval of appointments under CR19, the level of approval of disciplinary action under CR66 and referral under CR92, the
Secretary of State should issue a letter of instruction to
I attach a draft.
the Governor.
A R Paul
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