TNAG-1428-FCO40-1911-Future-of-the-Hong-Kong-public-service-1985 — Page 59

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commitment was given on timing. The Chief Secretary in his letter

to the civil service on 27 September 1984 stated that "the present

practice of restricting certain posts to British nationals will be

discontinued". The question therefore seems to be not so much

whether the policy should be changed but when the change should take

place.

Timing

3.

There are

a number of factors which need to be considered

when assessing the preferred timing of any change in policy.

(a) Security

Civil servants are employed by the Hong Kong

Government and they owe their loyalty to that

government. All civil servants are bound by the

Official Secrets Act and appointment and vetting

procedures are geared to ensure that suitable

candidates are employed. It is considered that

these procedures, combined with Government's own.

internal regulations, are sufficient to ensure the

confidentiality of Government matters. The

possession of British nationality does not by

itself guarantee loyalty to the Crown.

Security

G.F. 326

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