K 18/35
Reference.....
29
28
Mr.
Carter
Please see Mr. O'Brien's minute about pensions
policy.
The paragraphs of O.D.M. s draft paper with which we are most concerned are 42 and 56. In paragraph 42 presumably the rather loose wording of the second sentence arises from the need to include Fiji in the scheme, pre-independence, although I understand that they do not need budgetary aid. I do not think the wording of this paragraph particularly matters to us because it is for internal consumption in O.D.M.
But paragraph 56 includes the wording of a draft statement which the Minister would make in the House. It is therefore most important that we should be satisfied with it. As it stands it has an advantage of vagueness and presumably, when Hong Kong asked that the scheme should be applied to them pre-independence, would be ruled out of court by the words "having regard to needs".
Миши
(H.H. Stewart)
Hong Kong Department
29.12.69.