KINAAO
Mr Paul
PS/Mr Maude
clean
Jalr
I submit a draft reply
и
MV Stone
FNM Pusinelli Esq
Chairman
Overseas Service Pensioners Association
63 Church Road
Hove
Sussex BN3 2BD
FURTHER
WE ARE AGREED THAT
THE SITUATION IN HONG
KöNG IS DIFFERENT FRUM
OF THOSE FORMER
THAT IN OTHER FORMER BRITISH TERRITURIES WHICH MOVED TOWARDS INDEPENDENCÉ ·
Thank you for your letter of 25 April following up some points on ABOUT HMOCS members in Hong Kong.
ABOUT
I note what you say abut the Joint Declaration. However, I do not accept that the transition of Hong Kong to a Special Administrative Region of China will create a situation for HMOCS members which is materially different as regards continuity of service from that of HMOCS members who served in other former British territories which
subsequently became independent states. The Jaint Declaration enshrines an obligation on the successor sovereign to provide continuing service and preservation of the terms of service, for public servants previously serving in Hong Kong. In addition, China has reflected its undertakings in the Basic Law it has established
for Hong Kong.
I do not believe that I have underestimated the significance of the ineligibility of non-Chinese nationals to serve in certain posts and I agree that this may well affect serving officers' career prospects. That is why a limited compensation scheme has been established. This scheme is already in operation. Expatriate officers who are required to retire before their normal retirement
age or who are superceded for promotion to facilitate localisation
are eligible for compensation under the scheme.
Finally let me again reassure you that the concerns of HMOCS members
are being actively considered and we hope to ABOUT how we intend to meet these concerns, soon.
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
make/an announcement of make an
FRANCIS MAUDE