§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many former senior civil servants in Hong Kong, in receipt of Government pensions have taken employment in the private sector (a) in Hong Kong, or (b) elsewhere with companies involved in commerce with Hong Kong in each of the last 10 years; and what advice is given in this subject to retiring Hong Kong senior civil servants.
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§ Mr. RentonFormer Hong Kong civil servants in receipt of Government pensions are required under section 16 of the Hong Kong pensions ordinance to seek prior approval from the governor before taking up post-retirement employment or business, if the principal part of the employment or business is in Hong Kong. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the cessation of their pensions.
The general criteria for considering such applications are that the officer should not have unfair advantage over competitors, or be in a position either to use official information improperly or to exert influence over his former department. Retiring officers are advised of these criteria which are stipulated in the Hong Kong Civil Service Regulations.
The records available show that in the last 10 years the numbers of approved applications in respect of former senior officers (branch secretaries and heads of departments) wishing to accept post-retirement employment while on pension were:
Number 1976–77 2 1977–78 3 1978–79 — 1979–80 2 1980–81 1 1981–82 2 1982–83 1 1983–84 — 1984–85 3 1985–86 5