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17.

But

these are the exceptions and, while

contract terms are valuable in achieving, amongst other

things, a degree of cross fertilisation of expertise and

experience between the public and the private sectors,

they cannot be the main terms of employment for the Civil

Service. A civil service based largely on contract terms.

of employment, with officers free to come and go, would

not be conducive to maintaining

stability. I can also assure Members, and particularly

continuity

and

on permanent and

Dr Ip, that the employment of staff

pensionable terms does not force the Government to keep

redundant officers on the establishment.

There are

well-established rules

whereby civil servants can be

retired compulsorily on various grounds, including

redundancy, and they are invoked from time to time.

Extension of Service

18.

Mr Chan Ying-lun questioned the rationale

behind the Government's policy on extensions of service

beyond the statutory retirement age of 55.