It is ridiculous that the eight members of the Liberal Party sitting in the Legislative Council cut 10 per cent of the salaries they receive from the Government. All of them are only part-time legislators. I wonder why they did not claim to share 10 per cent of their income with their subordinates in private companies or offer to donate it to social-welfare funds.

The economic downturn is a result of global economic recession and the recent September 11 tragedy. It has nothing to do with the civil service. In fact, the Government has already shown its concern to the public. After the 1997 handover of sovereignty, the salaries of newly employed civil servants had been reduced significantly. Moreover, they are employed on a contract basis, not permanent employment. On the other hand, those existing civil servants had their salaries frozen for two years since 1998.

If the salaries of civil servants are reduced, this will advocate that the private sector follows the trend, resulting in a wave of salary reductions or even layoffs. All the middle- and lower-class employees will be the ultimate victims and the problem of unemployment will deteriorate.