TNAG-1446-FCO40-1930-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 86

CONTIDENTIAL

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS APPREHENDED IN HONG KONG HAS REMAINED STEADY

AT AN AVERAGE OF NINE A DAY. THESE STATISTICS INDICATE THAT OUR

SECURITY FORCES ARE EFFECTIVE IN CONTROLLING THE BORDER. THERE

WILL BE NO AMNESTY TO ALLOW THOSE WHO DO SUCCEED IN GETTING INTO

HONG KONG TO STAY HERE. WHEN THEY ARE CAUGHT, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

WILL RE REPATRIATED.

NEW PENSION SCHEME

LAST YEAR THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED PROPOSALS TO MODERNISE THE

EXISTING PENSION ARRANGEMENTS FOR CIVIL SERVANTS. SINCE THEN WIDE

RANGING DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN HELD WITH STAFF.

THE SAR GOVERNMENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PENSIONS AFTER 1997 AND THE NEW PENSION SCHEME HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN THE JOINT LIAISON - GROUP AND SUBSEQUENTLY IN EXPERT TALKS. I AM CONFIDENT THAT

AGREEMENT WILL BE REACHED ON THE SCHEME AND AM SURE THAT STAFF

WILL WELCOME THE NEW PROPOSALS. THE INTENTIONS IS TO BRING THE

NEW SCHEME INTO EFFECT FROM 1 APRIL NEXT YEAR SUBJECT TO THE

APPROVAL OF FINANCE COMMITTEE.

THE RETENTION IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF ABLE AND EXPERIENCED OFFICERS, UP TO AND BEYOND 1997 IS ESSENTIAL TO THE LONG TERM STABILITY AND EFFICIENCY OF THE ADMINISTRATION. THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES THE HIGHEST PRIORITY TO MAINTAINING CONTINUITY AND WILL PROVIDE EVERY ENCOURAGEMENT TO BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS OFFICERS TO CONTINUE THEIR CAREERS IN THE SERVICE OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT.

(11)

(A)

THE MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT

REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES

LAST YEAR I SAID THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO PUBLISH A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT SETTING OUT OPTIONS FOR BUILDING ON PRESENT SYSTEMS THROUGH WHICH THE PUBLIC CAN REGISTER COMPLAINTS AGAINST

THE ADMINISTRATION OR SEEK REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES. THIS TOOK LONGER

TO COMPLETE THAN 1 ANTICIPATED. TIME WAS NEEDED TO ALLOW THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO GAIN EXPERIENCE OF EXISTING PROCEDURES AND TO CONSIDER THEIR FULL RANGE AND POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT TO MEET CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES. THE DOCUMENT WAS ISSUED IN AUGUST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, AFTER WHICH THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL BE SOUGHT, AND A FURTHER REPORT MADE

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CONFIDENTIAL

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