XN000022-1974-07-31 — Page 8

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1974

EXTENTION OF RETIREMENT AGE FOR CIVIL SERVANTS

DISCUSSIONS CONTINUING

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DISCUSSIONS ON THE QUESTION OF BRINGING THE RETIRMENT AGE OF CIVIL SERVANTS TO 60 ARE CONTINUING BETWEEN THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL AND THE GOVERNMENT IN AN EFFORT TO REACH AN AGREED SOLUTION, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. DENIS BRAY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE KON. J.H. BREMRIDGE, MR. BRAY SAID IT HAD NOT YET BEEN POSSIBLE TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE STAFF SIDE WHICH WANTED THAT THE EXTENSION OF THE NORMAL RETIRING AGE TO 60 BE COMBINED WITH A RIGHT FOR A PUBLIC OFFICER TO RETIRE WITH HIS EARNED PENSION AT 45.

HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESENT REGULATIONS GOVERNING EXTENSIONS OF SERVICE BEYOND THE AGE OF 55 ENABLED OFFICERS TO CONTINUE WORKING IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE UNTIL THE AGE OF 60.

+AND INDEED BEYOND THAT AGE IN SOME CASES, PROVIDED THAT THEY ARE PHYSICALLY FIT AND FULLY EFFICIENT AND THAT THE PROMOTION PROSPECTS OF PROMISING BUT LESS SENIOR OFFICERS ARE NOT UNDULY BLOCKED.+

HE ADDED THAT AT PRESENT SEVERAL HUNDRED OFFICERS OVER THE AGE OF 55 ARE EMPLOYED IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

TYPHOON SHELTER IN SOUTH-WEST APPROACHES PROPOSED ******

THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. A.T. ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT, DISCLOSED TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS INVESTIGATING A RECOMMENDATION BY THE PORT COMMITTEE TO BUILD A TYPHOON SHELTER IN THE SOUTH-WEST APPROACHES, POSSIBLY ON LANTAU OR CHEUNG CHAU.

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN REPLY TO THE HON. H.M.G. FORSGATE WHO ASKED WHAT STEPS WERE BEING TAKEN TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TYPHOON SHELTERS TO MEET THE AGREED SHORTAGE OF 113 ACRES IN 1977.

MR. ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT NOTED THAT THE SITUATION WAS FULLY RECOGNISED AND IT IS APPRECIATED THAT ADDITIONAL TYPHOON SHELTER SPACE WILL HAVE TO BE PROVIDED.+