f
Reference...
HKK 18/30
Mr. Gaminara
Mr. Carter
Mr. Carter wanted to see the ODM paper which has only just arrived so that there has been no time to consider it although the preliminary FCO meeting in Mr. Combs' Office is this afternoon, and that with ODM tomorrow.
2. On no more than one reading of the ODM proposals which are wide ranging my first views are:-
(a) I think it may prove very difficult to sustain an eclectic approach towards HMG's proposed respon- sibility for Colonial pensions. I should have thought for example that no sooner would HMG have begun to pay say,Kenya's pensions than Northern Rhodesia would default. But Mr. Gaminara will agree that there are good reasons for retaining the status quo in respect of the former Central African Federation!
(b) ODM may have excellent reasons for proposing to find the money for its concessions from the aid pro- gramme as a whole. But there seem to me to be good reasons for debiting individual countries aid alloca- tions with the cost of these pensions.
(c) The tentative proposal that Hong Kong (which certainly merits a category to itself) should fund its pension bill by means of a "deal" involving its sterling balances is too large to swallow at short notice and we shall want to know more exactly what is proposed; certainly Hong Kong will!
(d) I would think that the role of the FCO repre- sentatives at the ODM meeting would be a listening one. There will obviously have to be very full consultations over, I do not doubt, a long period.
2.
Лиги
(H. H. Stewart) 25 September 1969
It is impossible to formulate any
worthwhil
trime availably of before this
comment in the time
afternoon's meeting.
From Hong Kong's point of view I do not think
that we
can do much more
inquire ans.
themo
listen auch
to what precisely they have in mind.
But it looks to me
make sure
upon
at amy
liability for
that
as though they want to HM.G. will not be called
to accept
time in the future
thei's pensions.
I agre
with (c)