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Sir L. Monson
CONFIDENTIAL
Overseas Pension Policy
At the second meeting of officials on 16 January, the Treasury
dug their toes in and said they were unable to recognise the need for
a change in policy on payment of pensions for expatriates in respect
of pre-independence service. We did not therefore have any
substantive discussion about the merits of including dependent
territories and in particular Hong Kong in any scheme which emerged.
I did however say that if Hong Kong were not to be included in the
take-over we would wish to have an opportunity of consulting the
Governor and in particular of getting his reaction to the possible
fall-back position of excluding dependent territories which had
executive public service commissions. Since the timetable was
slipping, I thought you might wish to consult the Governor now.
Mr. Hooper, who has been chairman of the Official Working Party,
said he saw no objection to this and the way is therefore clear for
you to go ane ad if you wish. The Treasury asked whether they could
see any telegrams which were sent to Hong Kong. I said, rather
unbriefed, that I saw no objection to this and indeed I think there
is advantage in the Treasury being made as aware as possible of all
the difficulties which are likely to arise from their rather
intransigent position. The O.D.M. are of course also making
CONFIDENTIAL
/ difficulties