TNAG-1072-FCO40-1322-Policy-of-the-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-education-1981 — Page 10

Local Government officers and staff at the universities and the Polytechnic are provided with quarters or housing allowances when they reach point 38 on the Master Pay Scale ($8, 515) or higher. While Baptist College salaries are still depressed, it may be a double disadvantage to restrict them to identical rules. In any event, it is not proposed, at this stage, to lay down any rules in regard to the housing of Baptist College staff, but some criteria are necessary solely to determine the number of flats on the basis of which the Government one- off grant should be calculated. It is suggested that these be defined as full-time academic or administrative staff who are :-

(a)

Senior lecturers or Heads of Departments or above; or

(b)

recruited from overseas; or

(c)

at salaries of $8, 515 p.m. or higher; or

(d)

in special shortage areas agreed with the Secretary for Social Services (Secretary for Education).

It is proposed that the one-off grant should be based on the number of flats determined in accordance with the above criteria, subject to a maximum grant of $25 million. This maximum fugure is derived from the estimated cost of a maximum of 43 flats (as envisaged by the College) in, say, the First City Development in Sha Tin.

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Finally, in order to provide for the new role and status of the College it is proposed to enact legislation which would replace the Hong Kong Baptist College Board of Governors Incorporation Ordinance ( Chapter 1126). A list of points to be provided for in the new Ordinance are at Annex E. This list is not exhaustive, but merely indicates the major provisions which it is intended to incorporate in the new legislation. Subject to members advice it will also be necessary to consult the Baptist College on this proposal before a Bill is drafted for consideration by Council.

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It will be noted that, in the event of the College being wound up, it is proposed that all Government grants, whether capital or recurrent, would be a first charge on the assets of the College (see item (j) in Annex E), This is particularly relevant in regard to the proposed grant of $25 million towards quarters.

G.S. 166

CONFIDENTIAL #B

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