TNAG-1363-FCO40-1809-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 19

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Mr. Tam Yiu-chung:- Sir, Directorate staff had a second adjustment

this year and reportedly it is to make up for the inadequacy since

1981. If the same principle and spirit are not applied in dealing

with these requests by the non-directorate staff will people feel that

equity has not been applied?

The Chief Secretary:- Sir, the Government's position on this matter is

that each year's pay adjustment is treated as a separate self-contained

exercise with neither pluses nor minuses carried over from a previous year.

This principle however does not rule out an overall review of salaries

over a period of time to see if they are still at a realistic level in

comparison with the private sector.

Mrs. Pauline Ng:- Sir, following the second adjustment of the directorate

officers salaries did the Government consider that this will cause a

corresponding request from non-directorate officers and staff?

The Chief Secretary:- Yes, Sir. I think we can say that that was expected

and as I said earlier in answer to the first question, this request has

now been referred to the Standing Commission.