There are no plans to dismiss Government staff at this stage, Secretary for the Civil Service Joseph Wong said today.

Speaking in the Legislative Council, Mr Wong said he will consider all options when reviewing the progress of reducing the civil service establishment by 10%.

As at March 31, the total establishment was 175,759. The Government plans to reduce the establishment to around 160,000 by 2006/07.

He said the establishment will be reduced through natural wastage, a recruitment freeze and voluntary retirement.

Mr Wong said that within the next four years about 8,500 civil servants will have reached their normal retirement age. Where possible, such vacancies will not be filled.

The results of the second voluntary retirement plan, whose deadline is tomorrow, will be known soon.

Mr Wong said from this financial year, bureaux heads will have to submit and update every year their manpower plans, explaining how the target of reducing their establishment is progressing.

He said the 10% reduction is only an overall target and need not be applied to all bureaux. The Government will look at individual departments and grades to resolve problems.