TNAG-0992-FCO40-1211-Policy-on-salaries-and-pensions-for-civil-service-in-Hong-Ko-1980 — Page 83

CONFIDENTIAL

2

機密

as

If the proposals set out in your letter are modified

we suggest in the previous paragraph, the only situation in which married women civil servants will not have equal eligibility for fringe benefits will be where the husband is in employment outside the civil service or is self-employed. In these circumstances, we appreciate that there is a possibility of abuse and accept that the introduction of equal benefits for married female staff in this category should be deferred until suitable administrative arrangements to prevent abuse have been worked out.

Finally we wish to reiterate that we are disappointed that the Administration is unable to recommend to Executive Council that our proposals on fringe benefits for married female staff should be accepted in full. We do however welcome the proposals in your letter, subject to the two modifications we have suggested, and trust that they can be implemented without delay. It is the Commission's belief that the only problem which prevents the Administration from providing equal benefits for married female staff is that of possible abuse. We hope therefore that the Administration will continue the search for suitable administrative measures to prevent such abuse, with a view to accepting and implementing our proposals in full at the earliest possible date.

Yours sincerely,

Sgd.

(S.Y. Chung)

Chairman

GF 323

CONFIDENTIAL

機密