TNAG-1548-FCO40-2112-Future-of-the-Hong-Kong-public-service-1986 — Page 146

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MIPT: HONG KONG PUBLIC SERVICE : SENIOR APPOINTMENTS

FOLLOWING IS TEXT OF PROPOSED SPEAKING NOTE TO INFORM THE CHINESE

OF MODIFICATIONS TO POLICY ON SERVICE BEYOND THE AGE OF 55 IN THE

HONG KONG ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE.

2. BEGINS.

THE EMBASSY WISHES TO INFORM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF A FORTHCOMING CHANGE IN HONG KONG ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICE. THE NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE IN THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE IS 55. HOWEVER SINCE 1981 IT HAS BEEN THE PRACTICE TO GRANT EXTENSIONS OF SERVICE, SUBJECT TO PHYSICAL FITNESS AND EFFICIENCY, UP TO THE AGE OF 60. IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN PARTICULAR THERE HAS BEEN A TENDENCY TO APPROVE APPLICATIONS FOR SUCH EXTENSION OF SERVICE. WHERE OFFICERS HAVE LEFT BEFORE THE AGE OF 60 THIS HAS NORMALLY BEEN OF THEIR OWN VOLITION. UNDER SECTION IN OF ANNEX | OF THE JOINT DECLARATION IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO HAVE LOCAL OFFICERS IN POST AT THE SECRETARY RANK (OR EQUIVALENT) IN 1997. WE NEED ALSO TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF LOCAL OFFICERS GAINING EXPERIENCE IN THE RANKS BELOW SECRETARY WHO CAN MOVE UP IN DUE COURSE. THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IS THE PREDOMINANT SOURCE OF OFFICERS TO FILL POSTS AT THE SECRETARY LEVEL.

IN THE NEAR FUTURE WE INTEND TO INTRODUCE A MODEST ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURE AIMED AT PROGRESSIVELY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF LOCAL OFFICERS IN VERY SENIOR POSTS. IT MAKES MORE SENSE TO FOLLOW THIS GRADUAL APPROACH THAN TO POSTPONE MATTERS UNTIL LATER AND THEN

BE OBLIGED TO TAKE MORE DRASTIC ACTION. WE ARE CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED FOR STABILITY AND CONTINUITY IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

OUR INTENTION IS THAT AS FROM 1 MARCH 1986 OVERSEAS MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE SHOULD STILL BE ELIGIBLE TO EXTEND THEIR SERVICE BEYOND THE AGE OF 55, BUT ONLY UP TO THE AGE OF 57, WHEREAS LOCAL OFFICERS MAY STILL GO ON TO 60. THE COMPOSITION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IS SUCH THAT THIS WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF GRADUALLY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF LOCAL OFFICERS IN TOP POSTS.

WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THERE IS AN ADEQUATE POOL OF ABLE AND EXPERIENCED LOCAL OFFICERS TO MEET THIS SITUATION.

THESE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD NOT HAVE ANY SUDDEN IMPACT. THE NUMBERS AFFECTED ARE SMALL. WE ARE ALREADY CONTRACTUALLY COMMITTED TO ALLOWING A FEW (.E. ABOUT EIGHT) OVERSEAS OFFICERS TO SERVE BEYOND 57. WE WOULD HONOUR THESE COMMITMENTS. THERE WOULD IN ANY CASE BE PROVISION TO ALLOW AN OVERSEAS OFFICER EXCEPTIONALLY TO

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