CONFIDENTIAL
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HKB 431 16
91
RECORD OF A MEETING ON HER MAJESTY'S OVERSEAS CIVIL SERVICE
(HMOCS) PENSIONS AND STERLING SAFEGUARDS, AT 1430 ON
THURSDAY 15 NOVEMBER 1990
Present:
FCO
Mr Paul
Mr Stone
Miss Coglin
Mr Fifoot
Mr Shipley, HKG
ODA
TREASURY
Mr Kerby
Mr Rew
Mr Fish
Mr Rayson
Mr Brancen
A: Background
1. Mr Shipley explained that Her Majesty's Government's
(HMG) obligations regarding matters of HMOCS were set out in
two White Papers, Colonial 306 and Command 1193. In Colonial 306, HMG had acknowledged its special obligations
to members of HMOCS. The remaining real obligations were compensation and pensions. Command 1193 had embroidered on this background. The two papers had formed the framework
for arrangements in other Colonies going to independence and
although Hong Kong's circumstances were different, the
considerations were identical. However, the political reality was that it was impossible for HKG to treat members
of HMOCS differently from local officers. It was HMG, not HKG that made this distinction in the Hong Kong Civil Service. HKG viewed all officers as the same. Any special
obligations to members of HMOCS should fall to HMG.
2. Mr Fish said that the main difference between Hong Kong and other DTs was that Hong Kong had a fluctuating exchange rate whereas in other cases, the currency had been tied to
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CONFIDENTIAL