CONFIDENTIAL
VISIT BY THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG TO LONDON: 15-17 NOVEMBER
F:
GENERAL COMPENSATION SCHEME
Agree with you that it would be best if the General Compensation
Scheme could be announced at the same time as the Nationality
package.
Well aware that General Compensation Scheme is now anxiously
waiting by expatriates in the civil service and by police officers.
Present position is that principle of an HMG funded Scheme was
agreed by previous FCO Ministers and by the previous Chief Secretary. Would like to consider matter in detail before putting proposal to Prime Minister.
Know that officials in FCO/ODA have been engaged in dialogue with
Hong Kong Government about basis of Scheme. They envisage a visit
to Hong Kong in early December for talks with Hong Kong Government in order to work up detailed parameters of Scheme.
Understand that Scheme as originally envisaged would involve progressive payment of compensation according to number of years of
service after 1997. This would be very different from traditional
Compensation Scheme. Your assessment of reaction of HMOCS to this?
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Have uncertainties created by events of 3/4 June in Peking
necessitated a fresh look at basis of Scheme?
VIMABC
CONFIDENTIAL
GENERAL COMPENSA
TION
SCHEME