TNAG-1548-FCO40-2112-Future-of-the-Hong-Kong-public-service-1986 — Page 152

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1997. HONG KONG GOVERNMENT POLICIES MUST MAKE ALLOWANCES FOR

THIS NOW IF WE ARE TO AVOID A VERY DAMAGING BREAK IN THE CONTINUITY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1997. EQUALLY, THE SAME SECTION OF ANNEX I PROVIDES FOR THE CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OF

BRITISH AND OTHER FOREIGN NATIONALS AT ALL OTHER LEVELS OF THE

CIVIL SERVICE AFTER 1997. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT'S CURRENT POLICY ON LOCALISATION MAKES RECOGNITION OF THAT FACT, AND OF THE NEED TO PROCEED AT A PACE THAT WILL NOT HARM THE OVERALL QUALITY

AND STABILITY OF THE SERVICE.

THIS WAS FULLY COVERED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 30 OCTOBER, WHEN HE SAID THAT LOCALISATION WOULD CONTINUE, 'TAKING CARE TO ENSURE, HOWEVER, THAT EFFICIENCY AND MORALE ARE NOT JEOPARDISED'. ADDED THAT THERE WILL STILL BE A PLACE FOR OVERSEAS OFFICERS, WHOSE SERVICES ARE HIGHLY VALUED'.

HE

THE RECENT REMARKS THAT YOU QUOTE AS HAVING BEEN MADE BY

THE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY TO YOURSELF AND OTHER

HONG KONG JUDGES SUGGEST THAT THE CHINESE FULLY SHARE OUR AND

HONG KONG'S CONCERNS IN REGARD TO THE CONTINUED STABILITY AND

PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG AND ITS PUBLIC SERVICE. ENDS

HOWE

LIMITED

HKD

DR WILSON

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