TNAG-0823-FCO40-1030-Policy-on-salaries-for-civil-servants-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 39

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agreed channels for the staff side to present and argue

their views. Its advice should be expert and impartial,

and should take into account the best interests of the

community at large.

18.

I am able to announce that it has been decided to

set up without delay a review body, or some form of commission,

on a standing basis. The Staff Side of the Senior Civil

Service Council will be consulted shortly on the terms of

reference and membership of the new standing body. I hope

that it will then be possible to put firm proposals to the

Governor in Council before the end of the calendar year.

In

19.

I believe, Sir, that with goodwill all round,

the new standing body will provide an effective means of

keeping salary scales and class structures under review,

and recommending changes whenever the need arises.

setting up this new review body we shall have taken a major

step towards improving staff relations within the civil

service, for practically all major disputes, and certainly

all disputes involving industrial action, have concerned those

pay and structure matters which it is proposed to include

in its terms of reference. However, it must be understood

that the size and complexity of the Hong Kong Civil Service

are now such that a thorough review will necessarily take

time.

20.

On staff relations generally, we must not overlook

the fact that the seeds of discontent in the civil service

/are....