CIVIL SERVICE (Recruitment of bilingual candidates)

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Prime Minister, in line with the Government's determination to implement the policy of bilingualism, if he will consider asking the Public Service Commission to set a target date for the recruitment of only bilingual candidates into the Civil Service.

The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Service Commission can require candidates to have minimum passes in their second language only after the schools have implemented this policy. The schools require a minimum pass (S8) in the second language at 'O' level for entry into Pre-U 1 for this year.

A minimum pass in the second language at 'A' level for admission to university can be implemented two years from now, i.e. admission to university in 1981.

The PSC can require only what the schools are requiring.