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also hoped to talk to the consultants recruited by HKG. Even if HKG considered that the consultancy exercise would simply prove such a scheme to be unworkable for local staff, the Treasury would like to examine how HMG might be able to
make it viable for HMOCS members. Mr Stone foresaw
tremendous problems if arrangements for HMOCS officers became interlinked with Hong Kong's scheme for local
officers - the former getting a better deal than the latter
Mr Fish wondered whether it would be possible to put pressure on HKG to quicken the consultancy procedure.
10. Mr Burns asked whether seeking Ministerial agreement to a compensation scheme only at this stage was worthwhile. Mr Fish thought that it would be seen by HMOCS as so inadequate
that it would only increase pressure from the Associations
for a £ sterling safeguard. The Treasury commented that this was why they had focussed on the sterling safeguard issue when in Hong Kong.
11. Mr Burns wanted to reflect further on two points: how
to consult the Chinese, although he was far from convinced that that would be straightforward; and how we might square local (HK) opinion. We should take advantage of the
forthcoming opportunities for discussion with HKG: Mr Burns'
visit to Hong Kong on 7 January and the Governor's visit to
London (to include a call on the Treasury) from 21-24
January. Mr Kerby thought it was essential to come to a
conclusion about the viability of the private sector scheme
by the time of the Governor's visit. Ms Brown hoped that
HKG would display more flexibility than they had done thus
far in exploring all the options thoroughly. HKG would need
to consider how to make any proposal less divisive by making
arrangements for local staff. She hoped to begin internal
soundings on the private sector scheme in the week of 28
December.
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