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Wednesday, January 17, 1973
He said the proposed extension would not interfere with the current arrangements for those who wished to retire early, nor would
it result "in the retention of deadwood."
"What it will do," he stressed, "is to strengthen many cadres of the civil service with seasoned, mature and experienced officers with whose talents the community can ill afford to dispense at the young
age of 55.11
He added that a later retirement
age would also help to reduce
the number of vacancies in the civil service.
Research
Mr. Woo continued that research conducted by the UMELCO Office clearly showed that the average life span in Hong Kong was rapidly rising and Government pensioners were also living longer.
Expanding on this point, the Hon. Mrs. Mary W.C. Wong told the Council that many private and government organisations had found they were taking payments to increasing numbers of retired people over much
longer periods than ever before.
"As a result their financial estimates and reserves were getting
out of line," she said.
Mrs. Wong emphasized that before a conclusion was reached on the issue, consideration must be given to the younger officers who would be
affected if the proposal was implemented.
"If the