TNAG-0822-FCO40-1029-Policy-on-salaries-for-civil-servants-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 446

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Government's policy on localisation of the civil service,

and then set out the facts of the matter for all to see.

18.

In recruiting men and women for the civil service,

it is our declared policy to try first to fill all vacancies.

locally in Hong Kong. Overseas recruitment is only undertaken

when suitable local candidates are not available in sufficient

numbers. There are only two exceptions to this policy,

Administrative Officers and the Police Inspectorate. For

both these, it is established practice to have regular intakes

of overseas officers.

19.

It is also our declared policy to try first to

fill all senior posts by promotion from within the service.

Promotion is based on merit, regardless of whether an officer

was originally recruited locally or overseas, or whether

he is now serving on agreement or on permanent and pensionable

terms However, the promotion of an officer who is on

agreement does not of itself qualify him to join the permanent

and pensionable establishment.

20.

In order to minimise the need to recruit overseas

it is our policy to do all we can to train local men and

women to fill professional and technical posts throughout the

service, and also to help prepare serving officers for

advancement to senior posts.

21.

However, the civil service exists to serve the

community and I do not believe that it would be in the public

:

interest to allow any lack of skilled staff to delay such

vital programmes as .law and order, the home ownership scheme,

or the development of new towns and industrial areas.

I

/am certain....