CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
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to simply desirable. The figure for estimated expenditure on personal emoluments (including pensions) for the financial year 1966–7 included in the annual estimates was about $619 million. This accounted for approximately 58 per cent of the estimated recurrent expenditure, or 33 per cent of the total estimated expenditure for the year, but the figure was prepared before final decisions had been taken on the recommendations of the Salaries Commission referred to below.
The growth of the Public Service has been accompanied by a determined effort to fill as many posts as possible with local can- didates, particularly in more senior grades which have in the past been staffed largely by overseas officers. It is not, however, always possible to secure local candidates for certain posts. This may be due to the fact that the qualifications required for the post may not be obtainable locally or to the lack of sufficient qualified can- didates to meet local demand. Over the Service as a whole, the percentage of overseas officers is 2.8 per cent. In 1961 the percentage of administrative and professional posts filled by local officers was 40.4 per cent. In 1966 it had increased to 46.1 per cent.
Training of local staff forms an important part of the programme and the Training and Examinations Unit has expanded its activities considerably since its establishment in 1961. During the year ended 31st March 1966, the unit ran a total of 89 courses centrally attended by 1,355 trainees. In addition, 114 local officers were sent overseas during the year to obtain professional qualifications and training.
The Public Services Commission continued to play a valuable part in maintaining standards in the Public Service, by advising on the qualifications to be prescribed for various posts and on the selection of candidates for appointment. In 1962, a Selection Board was set up in London to process applications from students of Hong Kong origin in the United Kingdom seeking appointment to posts in the Hong Kong Public Service. In addition, the Board now also deals with applications from experienced professional persons of Hong Kong origin resident in the United Kingdom. This is regarded as a practical way of ensuring that everything possible is done to fill vacancies with persons whose roots are in Hong Kong and who have had the benefit of overseas education or training. Where non-local staff have to be recruited, the government's