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The only country with which Hong Kong has a reciprocal agreement on medical treatment is United Kingdom. The agreement has been in place since 1 April 1982 and took the form of a formal exchange of letters between the British and Hong Kong Governments. From what we know, this arrangement was initiated when the United Kingdom announced a new legislation in 1982 which imposed charges on overseas visitors for access to medical and dental treatment under National Health Service.

Under the existing agreement, Hong Kong residents are eligible for free access to the National Health Service, including accident and emergency treatment. Similarly, United Kingdom citizens may receive a full range of medical treatment in Hong Kong at the same subsidised rate as local residents.

The term "Hong Kong resident" is defined as any person who is ordinarily resident in Hong Kong and who holds a valid Identity Card, Passport or Certificate of Identity issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department or who is the spouse or dependent child under 18 years of age of such a person, while "United Kingdom citizens" means any person who is ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and who holds a National Health Service Medical Card.

End

Remuneration and benefits of policy secretaries

Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau 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 a member of the Preparatory Committee has suggested that the salaries of principal officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government should be increased significantly. At present, the monthly salary of a policy secretary at D8 of the directorate pay scale is 157,250, and its total remuneration package inclusive of other benefits amounts to almost $300,000 a month. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

of the criteria for determining the remuneration and benefits of policy secretaries;

(a)

(b)

how the remuneration and benefits of policy secretaries compare to those of senior executives at comparable levels in the private sector;