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Govt to fully co-operate with Chief Executive (Designate)
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Following is a question by the Hon Lee Wing-tat and a reply by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr W K Lam, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
It has been reported that some members of the Preparatory Committee have suggested that incumbent policy secretaries of the Hong Kong Government should leave the Hong Kong civil service temporarily upon being appointed principal officials-designate of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG), in order that they may take up such posts before July 1, 1997. In this regard, will the Government inform this Council of the serious impact the implementation of this suggestion will have on the operation of the Government, and whether it will divide the civil service and cause contradictions among civil servants?
Reply:
Mr President,
The Government has made clear that it will fully co-operate with the Chief Executive (Designate) within practical, efficient and common sense arrangements which, based on the following three principles:
are consistent with the provisions of the Joint Declaration and Basic Law;
do not undermine the authority and credibility of the Hong Kong Government in its responsibility for administration of the territory until midnight June 30, 1997; and
do nothing adversely to affect the morale and confidence of the civil service.
Regarding the modalities of co-operation, as the Chief Secretary has just said, is a matter still awaiting further discussions. I believe that Honourable Members would not expect me to speculate on this, or to respond to unverified reports in the press. I would only stress that the continuity of the civil service is self-evidently crucial to a smooth and successful transition. Indeed, it is fully guaranteed by the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. At present, policy secretaries all have very full schedules, and if they have to leave their posts for a long period, it would certainly lead to serious consequences; including the maintenance of effective administration of Hong Kong.