It is proposed to have a chairman and about four to six members, all part-time. Their initial length of appointment would normally be for either 2 or 3 years (so that all the members would not become due for renewal of appointment at once) and thereafter for 2 years at a time. None of these persons will be civil servants, and either the chairman or at least one of the members will be an Unofficial Member of the Legislative or Executive Councils. All would be normally resident in Hong Kong. It is proposed to supply the Commission with a Secretary-General who would be a senior seconded civil servant or ex-civil servant.
7
In addition, after the Commission has been appointed it would be open to it to request the appointment of an expert Adviser. If so, he would be appointed in consultation with the Governor.
8
Council's advice will be sought on actual membership of
the Commission as soon as possible.
Consultations with staff associations
9
After Members have advised on the proposed terms of reference and composition, the Staff Side of the Senior Civil Service Council will be consulted in accordance with established practice.
10
Many individual grade associations, particularly those waiting to submit claims to the Commission, have also expressed an interest in being consulted on the terms of reference and composition. It would certainly be helpful if this were done. It is proposed therefore, as soon as the staff side of the Senior Civil Service Council has been consulted, to inform all grade associations and invite them to comment if they wish. If staff side comment s appear to warrant amendment of the terms of reference or com- position, Council's further advice will be sought.
Method of Work
11
Previous Salary Commissions have tended to be constrained by the need to finalise a report or reports covering their full terms of reference by about the time of departure of their overseas chairman. The new Commission, with its continuing role and its Hong Kong membership, will be in a quite different situation, and it is not envisaged that it should necessarily produce a formal Report for consideration by the Executive Council.
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.