TNAG-2633-FCO40-3824-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-Nationality-(Hong-K-1992 — Page 83

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CONFIDENTIAL

3.

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generally high level, except perhaps that of news editors and journalists (1.06%). The latter case could however be defended, as was in the first phase, in the light of the high value of service of news editors and journalists to Hong Kong, especially in the run-up to 1997, and the PR problems that would not be overcome easily. It is therefore recommended that all the existing OGs/AOs should remain in the GOC in the second phase of the Scheme.

OGs/AQs not covered in the first phase

6.

There is a case for the inclusion of "librarians and related professionals" comprising

comprising primarily librarians, curators and archivists. The major arguments are as follows:-

(a)

High emigration rate

(b)

Librarians and related professionals had an emigration rate of 5.03% in 1991, against the average of 3.41% for OGs/AOs included in the first phase of the Scheme and it is likely that their propensity to emigrate would remain high in the years to come.

Service of high value to Hong Kong

Librarians and related professionals are essential to running library and museum services which benefit a large section of the population and do much to improve its literacy, knowledge and quality generally. Furthermore, the rapid expansion of tertiary education in Hong Kong in recent years has resulted in a great demand for library services in the universities and polytechnics. It is evident that we can ill afford to lose librarians and related professionals who, without the benefit of an insurance policy under the BNS, are leaving Hong Kong in significant numbers.

CONFIDENTIAL