(1)
HMOCS
CONFIDENTIAL
10. Noble Lords have raised the position of HMOCS officers
serving the Hong Kong Government. I can add little on this point to what my hon Friend the Minister of State for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has said on this point in
another place. The draft agreement provides satisfactorily.
for continuity of service by serving officers in the public
service in Hong Kong on terms and conditions, including pay and pensions, no less favourable than before 1 July 1997.
These provisions apply to members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service (HMOCS) serving in Hong Kong as well as to
other civil servants. The resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong by the People's Republic of China raises similar
issues in respect of HMOCS as independence has in other dependent territories. It is not possible, however, to
define now, twelve and a half years in advance of
constitutional change, all the arrangements which will apply
to members of HMOCS serving in Hong Kong and to the payment
of their pensions by the Hong Kong SAR Government after
assure you however that HMG have very
much in mind the concerns of HMOCS officers, as well as other
Hong Kong civil servants.
1 July 1997. I can
CONFIDENTIAL