XN000022-1988-01-22 — Page 2

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 1988

FRUITFUL YEAR FOR CIVIL SERVICE

THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT 1987 HAD BEEN AN EVENTFUL AND FRUITFUL YEAR FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE.

"IT SAW THR CONCLUSION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW PENSION SCHEME AND A NUMBER OF OTHER LONG-STANDING ISSUES. THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND CO-OPERATION, AND AM MOST GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT," SAID MR GREWAL WHEN SPEAKING AT A COCKTAIL RECEPTION HE HOSTED FOR LEADERS OF CIVIL BERVICE ASSOCIATIONS.

MR GREWAL SAID HE WAS CONSCIOUS THAT A NUMBER OF MAJOR ISSUES OF DEEP CONCERN TO THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE REMAINED ON THE AGENDA.

"I WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE YOU THAT THESE WILL CONTINUR ΤΟ BE DEALT WITH FAIRLY AND SENSIBLY BY THE ADMINISTRATION, HAVING DUR REGARD TO THE ASPIRATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS OF CIVIL SERVANTS AND THE OVERALL PUBLIC INTEREST, HE SAID.

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MR GREWAL EMPHASISED THAT IT WAS ESSENTIAL ΤΟ HAVE A SOPHISTICATED AND EFFICIENT CIVIL SERVICE IN VIEW OF THE INCREASE IN THE COMPLEXITY OF THE MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT AND EVER RISING PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS.

"I AM CONFIDENT THAT CIVIL SERVANTS WILL CONTINUE TO MEET THE MANY CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD IN THEIR USUAL COMPETENT, LOYAL AND STEADFAST MANNER, MR GREWAL SAID.

ABOUT 350 GUESTS REPRESENTING CIVIL SERVICE UNIONS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH ATTENDED THE RECEPTION.

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