ENG-1981 — Page 330

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

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advised by departmental establishment committees. The creation of posts at directorate rank or of new ranks or grades, however, continues to require the approval of the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council.

Recruitment and promotions in the civil service in the middle and senior ranks are subject to the advice of the Public Service Commission, which is independent of govern- ment. The commission has a full-time chairman and leading citizens are appointed as members on a part-time voluntary basis. The commission also advises the government on discipline cases.

Government Secretariat

The Chief Secretary is the Governor's principal adviser on policy and the chief executive of the government. He is also the head of the civil service. His office, the Government Secretariat, co-ordinates and supervises the work of all government departments.

The Financial Secretary is responsible for financial and economic policy, and for the overall supervision of departments primarily involved in this field.

The Government Secretariat is organised into nine policy and two resource branches Civil Service and Finance - which deal with the government's personnel and finances. There is also a branch department responsible for district administration and an Administration Branch. Each branch, except the Administration Branch, is headed by a secretary. The policy branches are based on programme areas, as indicated by their titles: Economic Services, Home Affairs, Housing, Lands and Works, Security, Social Services, Education, Transport, and Monetary Affairs.

Changes in the organisation of the Secretariat were announced in November.

A political adviser, seconded from the Foreign Office, advises on the external political aspects of government policies.

London Office

The London Office, at 6 Grafton Street, W1, is a projection in Britain of the Hong Kong Government. The Commissioner provides a point of direct contact in London between Hong Kong and departments of the British Government, Members of Parliament, and organisations with an interest in Hong Kong.

The London Office keeps under review British commercial, economic and industrial developments and official thinking on world-wide trade policies, and advises the Hong Kong Government about the likely repercussions of these developments on Hong Kong. It is concerned with the welfare of Hong Kong residents in Britain, maintains contact with them, and helps with problems arising from their living in Britain or relating to their families and interests in Hong Kong. It operates well-developed publicity services aimed at projecting Hong Kong's image to the British public and the Chinese community in Britain. It also has special sections to look after the interests of Hong Kong students, including nurses and government trainees in Britain.

The Appointments Division of the London Office is responsible for all government recruitment in Britain. The division also recruits people of Hong Kong origin in the United Kingdom to the civil service, and liaises closely with various official bodies in Britain concerned with recruiting expatriate staff.

The London Office is responsible for a training course in Oxford designed for young Chinese administrative officers on probation. They study management, international relations and government for one academic year.

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