C
Ke.02378
CONFIDENTIAL
419
HKA 233/1
Pa
CABINET OFFICE
70 Whitehall London SWIA 2AS Telephone 071-270 0170
PF Ricketts Esq
Hong Kong Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office LONDON SW1A 2AH
Dear Ricketts
Box
Yes Mrche Moli Mrs RJR pls.
Preth
8 June 1992
f
intetght.
Shid we contest?
9/6
MEMBERS OF HER MAJESTY'S OVERSEAS CIVIL SERVICE IN HONG KONG AND THEIR DEPENDANTS: ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR EMPLOYMENT
303
Thank you for your letter of 5 May 1992. I am sorry it has taken me some time to reply but we needed to explore fully the questions you raised.
Your letter raises two separate issues, the first relating to the recruitment of members of HMOCS in Hong Kong and their dependants; the second relating to security clearance. I can of course only comment on these issues in respect of the Home Civil Service. It would be for MOD and the Armed Forces themselves to comment on the position of individuals vis a vis the UK armed services. I gather from your letter that you propose to follow up such issues with them separately.
Recruitment
As far as recruitment is concerned, anyone who meets the normal entry requirements for recruitment is eligible to apply for Civil Service post. These would include nationality (not residence) requirements. Although they are currently under review, all British citizens will continue to
citizens will continue to come within the relevant nationality rules.
Beyond that, the Treasury is empowered to determine "public services" for the purposes of paragraph 2f(iii) of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Order in Council. This provides that the normal rules of fair and open competition on merit can be set aside, subject to the candidate meeting the normal nationality requirements:
"where the relevant appointing authority is satisfied that it is desirable to make the appointment, and the person proposed for the appointment is a person who already holds a situation in a public service (provided the appointment is justified by the needs of the Service and the proven ability of the person)".
CONFIDENTIAL