SECRET
Constitutional Change
23. In the event of constitutional changes under which
the Secretary of State is no longer responsible for the
public service of Hong Kong, HMG will no doubt wish the
new constitutional arrangements to include provisions
designed to ensure that payments of Hong Kong pensions will
remain the liability of the Hong Kong Government and will
continue to be paid from Hong Kong funds.
Compensation Scheme
24. At the stage when the Secretary of State relinquishes
his present responsibility for the Hong Kong public service,
it will be necessary to introduce a compensation scheme for
serving members of the Hong Kong public service who are
members of HMOCS. The scheme may also need to cover some
permanent and pensionable officers who are not members.
of HMOCS but who are either expatriates or are local
officers in senior posts whose career prospects have been
adversely affected by constitutional change.
Liability to Pay Compensation etc
25. Payment of compensation and other benefits under the
compensation scheme should, if possible, also become the
liability of the Hong Kong Government, in which event they
too will be payable from Hong Kong Government funds.
14
SECRET
/Pressure