TNAG-1415-FCO40-1896-Public-finance-in-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 135

informed of the results of the review of the principles and practices of all job-related allowances currently being carried out by the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service, including the major recommendations made.

64.

The review by the Secretary for the Civil Service, in conjunction with the Director of Accounting Services, of the administration of job-related allowances throughout the civil service has continued steadily since December 1984. The review has concentrated on the procedures for authorizing payments and for subsequently ensuring that authorized payments remain justified. Efforts have also been directed towards reconsidering eligibility of staff currently receiving job-related allowances. Certain weaknesses in procedures have been identified in the course of the review, and action has been taken by the Secretary for the Civil Service and the Director of Accounting Services to counter these weaknesses.

65.

The following action has been taken by the Secretary for the Civil Service:

-

time limits ranging from one to three years have been imposed on all new approvals, and controlling officers are required to resubmit all cases to the Secretary for the Civil Service before the expiry date for fresh approval in appropriate cases so that the payment of the allowances in question may continue;

all new approval memoranda issued by the Secretary for the Civil Service have restricted payment to given numbers of staff in specific work situations, and have laid down precise eligibility criteria which must be met before payment can be authorized by controlling officers. Memoranda in similar terms are also being issued in respect of past approvals as these are gradually reviewed and replaced, where justified, by fresh approvals with time limits attached;

revised civil service regulations governing shift duty allowance have been issued. The civil service regulations relating to other allowances are also being reviewed, particularly in order to emphasize the duty of controlling officers to ensure that all payments are justified, are properly

authorized and are kept under regular review;

and

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