TNAG-1413-FCO40-1889-Future-of-Hong-Kong-annual-report-to-Parliament-on-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 251

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Hong Kong Bill

6 FEBRUARY 1985

cuity of service by serving officers in the public services in I

Kong on terms and conditions, including pay and pen, no less favourable than on the 30 June 1997. The provisions apply to members of the Overseas Civil Service serving in Hong Kong and other civil servants. The resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong by the People's Republic of China raises similar issues in respect of the Overseas Civil Service, as independence has in other dependent territories. With that in our minds, address ourselves to questions about their futures. I know that my hon. Friend will retain a close interest.

we

Mr. Stanbrook: I shall certainly do that. However, with respect, my hon. Friend has not grasped the point, which is that once the documents are exchanged and the Bill is enacted the conditions of service for all expatriate officers serving in Hong Kong will have been changed because from then onwards the policy will naturally be to promote as many people of Chinese origin as possible. That will mean that, if the qualifications of an expatriate and local officer are equal, when they apply for a post,

the

Hong Kong Bill

local officer will almost certainly be promoted. That has an adverse effect on career prospects, with a subsequent loss of morale, unless such staff now receive the sort of guarantees of security which others have had in colonies in the past.

Mr. Luce: I appreciate my hon. Friend's point. The Hong Kong Government are reviewing the number of people in the Overseas Civil Service in Hong Kong, and they will consider the numbers in the years to come. I assure my hon. Friend that we take his points on board and that we are considering those matters urgently.

I have tried to answer the debate as best I can. I hope that I have answered it sufficiently to be able to commend the clause to the House.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause I ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 2 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

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