TNAG-1735-FCO40-2448-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 33

}

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 25 May 1988

1463

EF SECRETARY: Sir, I do not have the figures specifically for early retirement. I will let Mr. Martin LEE have those figures. (See Annex I)

MR. CHEONG: Sir, I am heartened by the Chief Secretary's statistics because it goes contrary to the common claim that Government is rendered ineffective due to the great loss of civil servants. However, I am puzzled by reports that various heads of departments have complained about the trend of officers leaving the Civil Service, whether through resignation, early retirement or otherwise. For example, the latest is that the Director of Fire Services has gone on record as saying that he has experienced difficulties.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT: Will you ask your question, please, Mr. CHEONG?

MR. CHEONG: Can the Chief Secretary further elucidate the differences between the statistics he has presented and the statistics as presented by other department heads from time to time?

CHIEF SECRETARY: Sir, it is difficult for me to speculate as to why heads of departments may be concerned about particular aspects of their strength. In the case of the Fire Services Department, the figures themselves, certainly at first reading, do not show any sign for alarm. In the officer grade, for example, the wastage rate from resignations over a period of about three years has been 0.34 per cent, 0.66 per cent and 1.42 per cent. And in terms of the rank and file 0.4 per cent, 0.7 per cent and 1.07 per cent. Since these figures have come to me, Sir, in answer to this question, I intend to discuss the matter further with the Director of Fire Services.

MRS. CHOW: Sir, may I ask for the total number and percentage of civil servants of all ranks who have resigned for reasons of emigration in the last three years?

CHIEF SECRETARY: Sir, as I have explained in my answer, civil servants are not required to give reasons as to why they should resign. Some are prepared to give reasons, and some give dual reasons. Many of them do give dual reasons, for example, to go into the private sector and to emigrate. Therefore, it is not possible to give in any meaningful way a breakdown of the statistics which Mrs. Selina CHOW required.

MR. LAI: Will the Chief Secretary inform this Council whether he is satisfied with the rate and implementation of the localisation policy within the Government?

CHIEF SECRETARY: Sir, the localisation policy has been in operation for many years and as I have explained in answer to a previous question, it applies at the recruitment level. It is a steady policy which is intended to make best use of local talent wherever it is available. It has been progressing well over the years and