TIMAAH
Points to Make
GENERAL
CONFIDENTIAL
The Government fully recognise particular concerns of all civil
servants in Hong Kong. We are conscious of need to maintain the morale of public service, which has key role to play in Hong Kong's stability and prosperity. We will continue to keep interests of all
members of service in mind both now and in future.
CONTINUITY OF SERVICE AND CONDITIONS AFTER 1997
Joint Declaration provides for continuity of service for serving
officers with pay and conditions of service including payment of
pensions no less favourable than before.
I understand that recent events will have thrown into sharp
focus questions about the Joint Declaration. This is not
surprising. But no evidence that Chinese side do not continue to
take the Joint Declaration seriously, or that they do not intend to honour their responsibilities on pensions, as on other matters.
WHAT ARRANGEMENTS DO YOU ENVISAGE FOR PRINCIPAL OFFICIALS IN 1997?
Our intentions in this, as in other areas, are to ensure so far
as possible continuity of individuals. We have been doing all we
can to explain this to Chinese and will continue to do so when
contacts resume. Early days yet.
WILL THE POSSESSION OF BRITISH CITIZENSHIP DISQUALIFY INDIVIDUALS
FROM BECOMING PRINCIPAL OFFICIALS?
We are not yet clear on Chinese intentions in this area. We
have taken some encouragement from their pragmatic approach, which
has kept to low numbers the posts which can only be held by Chinese
nationals. But Chinese themselves are not yet clear on what
definitions they will adopt for "Chinese nationals" for these
purposes.
CONFIDENTIAL
SERVICE POST 1997
PRINCIPAL
OFFICIALS
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.