I am writing to inform you of the progress of work on the draft Civil Service Code and to invite your comments on the draft Code.
In connection with the further expansion of the political appointment system, the Civil Service Bureau ("CSB") has committed to issuing a Civil Service Code that sets out the values of the Civil Service, the standards of conduct which civil servants are expected to uphold, and the framework within which civil servants are expected to work with politically appointed officials. The promulgation of such a Code will be conducive to maintaining the political neutrality of the Civil Service, which is the Government's policy and which is valued by the community of Hong Kong.
A draft version of the Civil Service Code has been uploaded onto the CSB homepage (http://www.csb.gov.hk/english/admin/conduct/1751.html) today. As a member of the Civil Service, I hope you will take some time to study the draft Code, and give us your views and observations before the end of February 2009 through one of the means outlined below :
E-mail : csbcd@csb.gov.hk
Post : Conduct and Discipline Division
Civil Service Bureau
11/F, West Wing
Central Government Offices
11 Ice House Street
Central, Hong Kong
Fax : 2530 0986
We will, in parallel, be inviting views from serving politically appointed officials, the Public Service Commission and the Legislative Council Panel on Public Service on the draft Code.
We will consider all the views received carefully and revise the draft Code as appropriate. We aim to finalise the Code for promulgation in the first half of 2009.
I look forward to receiving your views.
