TNAG-0092-FCO40-128-Ministry-of-Public-Buildings-and-Works-Future-of-locally-eng-1967 — Page 19

BRIEF FOR MEISTER OF STATE

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922 stat HK will take over all bu

about 40

TRANSFER OF M.P.B.W. LOCALLY-ENGAGED STAFF TO

Background

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.

On 19th December, 1966, 0.P.D. approved new arrangements

by which Hong Kong would make an increased contribution to the cost

of the garrison. It was agreed that the Hong Kong Goverment should

assume responsibility for the maintenance of military buildings and

certain minor works. In 0.F.D. Mr. Prentice expressed dissatisfaction

with:-

(a) terms of transfer to be offered to locally

engaged staff of his Department;

(b) Hong Kong Government's intention to disband the

direct labour building force.

0.P.D. decision was that the Colonial Secretary should make suitable

representation to the Hong Kong Government about the terms of transfer

of M.P.B.W. staff.

2.

This was the first that this Department had heard of

these difficulties. Accordingly, Mr. Lee was not briefed to deal

with them in 0.P.D.

3.

this subject.

Ir. Prentice wanted to write direct to the Governor on

This we had to resist on the grounds that it did not

In Mr. Lee's

་

accord with the division of ministerial responsibilities.

absence it was decided to forward to the Governor, Hong Kong, a letter

which Mr. Frentice would write to Ir. Lee setting out the views, he had

expressed in 0.P.D. Mr. Prentice's letter of the 22nd December was

forwarded to the Governor on the 23rd December. The Governor replied

on the 9th January.

Transfer of Staff

40

Categories concer ed are professional supervisory

technical staff, technical staff and clerical steff.

5.

Hong Kong say they must follow the principles applied

in dealing with the Naval Dockyard redundancies. They would take on

/the