TNAG-1362-FCO40-1808-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 198

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10.

Dr Ip also raised

the question of whether OI

not it would be cheaper for Government, and more flexible

by which I think she meant more convenient for those

concerned

if at least part of the fringe benefits

element in the overall remuneration package was paid in

cash instead. Some would argue but I personally would

not

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that there is no objection in theory to this idea.

There is no denying that a cash payment would be more

flexible from the civil servant's point of view, too

flexible perhaps, but it is questionable whether it would

be cheaper for the Government because the present take-up

rate of fringe benefits is not 100%. In any case, the

idea is unacceptable for it amounts to changing the basis

of administering fringe benefits from the present

accountable and strictly controlled system to an

unaccountable one.

Pensions

11.

Dr Harry

Fang suggested that, by way of

providing civil servants with evidence that their

pensions are being taken care of,

the Government should

accumulated rights,

issue annual statements of their

similar to the statements issued to

to participants in the

Widows' and Children's Pensions Scheme.