TNAG-1259-FCO40-1599-The-Future-of-Hong-Kong---special-study-by-FCO--August-1982--1983 — Page 65

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or promoted to particular grades or posts on grounds of

policy while others are employed because no suitably

qualified local candidates are available and willing to

serve. The more senior are usually appointed by the

Governor on the recommendation of a Public Service

Commission, but the most senior appointments require the

Secretary of State's approval. Their salaries and pensions

are paid from Hong Kong Government funds. About one in

33 of the total population or one in 16 of the total adult.

working population is employed by the Government or the

Urban Council.

9.

The Chief Secretary (who sits in EXCO and LEGCO) is

the senior civil servant of the Hong Kong Government and

head of the Hong Kong public service. The Government

Secretariat has 12 policy and 2 resource branches. The

Secretaries heading these branches supervise approximately

60 Departments of Government, of which the Medical and Health

Department, the Public Works Departments, the Urban Services

Department and the Royal Hong Kong Police Force account for

58% of the entire public service establishment.

External Relations

10:

Since Hong Kong is a colony and a UK dependency, the

Hong Kong Government has no international personality and

external relations are accordingly the responsibility of

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/HMG