Cap. 497 Art. 38Directives and guidelines issued by the Principal Permanent Secretary in relation to agencies. Cap. 174.

(1) Except in so far as expressly precluded by any other law or any Order establishing an agency under this Act, the

Principal Permanent Secretary may in addition to his powers under articles 4, 5 and 40 issue directives and guidelines to any or all government agencies to -

(a) ensure that agencies coordinate their activities with other agencies, departments, government entities and Local Councils as applicable;

(i) the redeployment of staff to, from or between agencies; and

(ii) the application of the merit principle and the establishment of safeguards in relation thereto;

(d) establish mechanisms for staff classification and the determination of pay levels; and

(e) put into effect such other policy objectives and management priorities as the Government may from time to time set out.

(2) Chief Executive Officers and employees of government agencies shall comply with all applicable directives issued by the Principal Permanent Secretary, and failure to comply shall be grounds for disciplinary proceedings under any applicable procedures.

(3) The Principal Permanent Secretary shall seek to frame his directives in the best interests of the consumer and in such a manner as to impose the least possible administrative burden on agencies consonant with the achievement of Government objectives, bearing in mind any directives issued in virtue of article 72 of the Financial Administration and Audit Act.

(4) Article 15(3) to (6) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the directives issued by the Principal Permanent Secretary under this article.