XN000022-1986-03-25 — Page 14

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TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1986

FOR THE EXISTING HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN WASHINGTON THE PLAN PROVIDES FOR AN ADDITICAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE C TO TAKE ON MAJOR COMMERCIAL RELATIONS SUBJECTS SUCH AS THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN REGULATIONS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR HONG KONG'S COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH CANADA.

THE ADDITIONAL POST WILL ENABLE THE EXISTING COUNSELLOR FOR HONG KONG COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON TO CONCENTRATE ON INCREASING LOBBYING ACTIVITIES AND LIAISON WITH UNITED STATES OFFICIALS TO SAFEGUARD HONG KONG'S TRADING INTERESTS.

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IF THE PLAN CAN BE IMPLEMENTED BY JULY 1 THIS YEAR IT WILL COST $5 214 000 IN 1986-87, AND $6 231 000 ANNUALLY THEREAFTER.

ALSO TO BE PUT TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TOMORROW WILL BE A PROPOSAL FOR THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT A SPECIAL PAY ADJUSTMENT OF ABOUT 2.7 PER CENT FOR ALL NON-DIRECTORATE CIVIL SERVANTS WITH RETROSPECTIVE EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR.

MEMBERS WILL AT THE SAME TIME BE INVITED TO APPROVE A SIMILAR ADJUSTMENT TO SCALES AND RATES FOR EMPLOYEES OF SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS THAT ARE NORMALLY ADJUSTED IN LINE WITH CIVIL SERVICE PAY.

THE COST OF THESE PROPOSALS IS ESTIMATED TO BE IN THE REGION OF $460 MILLION FOR A FULL YEAR. AS 15 MONTHS' PAYMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED IN 1986-87, INCLUDING RETROSPECTIVE PAYMENTS FOR THE MONTHS OF JANUARY TO MARCH 1986, THE ACTUAL COST FOR THE 86-87 FINANCIAL YEAR WILL BE UP TO ABOUT $565 MILLION.

THIS PACKAGE OFFER IS AN INTERIM MEASURE PENDING THE OUTCOME OF A PAY LEVEL SURVEY OF COMPARABLE NON-DIRECTORATE JOBS WITHIN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHICH WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR.

OTHER ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED AT TOMORROW'S MEETING ARE:

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SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS FOR SPECIAL LEGAL EXPENSES FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT, AND FOR CABLE AND WIRELESS SERVICES FOR RTHK;

A REVISED SCALE OF FEES PAYABLE TO EXAMINERS APPOINTED BY THE AUTHORISED PERSONS' AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEER'S REGISTRATION COMMITTEE:

REVISED BASIC RATES OF PRIVATE TENANCY ALLOWANCES;

ANTICIPATED COSTS OF FINANCIAL CONSULTANCY SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING;

AN APPLICATION FOR THE WRITE-OFF OF FEES FOR THE STORAGE IN POLICE ARMOURIES OF CERTAIN PRIVATE ARMS AND AMMUNITION

FUNDS FOR.....................