XN000022-1985-11-13 — Page 5

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1985

'FAIR COMPARISON' PRINCIPLE USED FOR PAY DECISION

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THE PRINCIPLE OF FAIR COMPARISON WITH REMUNERATION FOR COMPARABLE EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE APPLIED IN CONSIDERING THE RECENT REQUEST BY CERTAIN NON-DIRECTORATE STAFF UNIONS FOR A PAY ADJUSTMENT OF 6.4 PER CENT, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

ANSWER ING A QUESTION FROM THE HON SZETO WAH, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE MAIN ARGUMENT FOR THE REQUEST IS THAT SINCE 1981 SALARIES FOR NON-DIRECTORATE STAFF HAVE LAGGED BEHIND THE PRIVATE SECTOR+.

EXPLAINING THE PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED, SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE HAD WRITTEN TO THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE SEEKING ITS ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE REGARDING THE UNIONS' REQUEST AS THE MATTER FELL WITHIN THE STANDING COMMISSION'S TERMS OF REFERENCE.

+WHEN ADVICE IS RECEIVED FROM THE STANDING COMMISSION,+ SIR DAVID SAID,+THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE WILL ENTER INTO FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE STAFF SIDES OF THE THREE CENTRAL CONSULTATIVE COUNCILS.+

HE ADDED THAT THE CONCLUSIONS REACHED THEN WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION.

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BOUGHT-PLACE SCHEME TO CONTINUE IN ACCEPTABLE SCHOOLS'

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GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO BUY PLACES IN THOSE PRIVATE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS WHICH ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE EDUCATION OF ACCEPTABLE QUALITY, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER THE HON NEIL HENDERSON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DESMOND LEE

MR HENDERSON SAID IT WAS ALSO GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION IN THE LIGHT OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION'S REPORT NO. 1 TO BEGIN BUYING FORM 4 AND 5 PLACES IN SUCH SCHOOLS FROM A FUTURE DATE TO ASSIST IN THE PHASING OUT OF THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT SYSTEM.

+A NUMBER OF PRIVATE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS WILL, THEREFORE, CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC SECTOR SCHOOL PLACES.

/+THIS ALSO