PEWSUNS
HMOCS
Twicken
I am afraid that there is little I can add to what I said in our last debate on the position of officers in Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service in Hong Kong.
The agreement provides satisfactorily for the 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 on 30 June 1997. These provisions apply to members of the Overseas Civil Service serving in Hong Kong as well as 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. Public officers' agreements have generally been negotiated at the last moment before independence and signed after independence. Constitutional change is still 12 years away in Hong Kong.
I absolutely agree on the need to maintain the morale of HMOCS officers in Hong Kong and I can assure you lordships that the Government will continue to keep their interests closely in mind.
M