SECRET
047743 MDHIAN 1251
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8. IN THIS CONNECTION, THE MEETING UNANIMOUSLY PASSED THE FOLLOWING MOTION:
'THIS ASSOCIATION URGES THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO PRESS HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT TO SET OUT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR A GENERAL COMPENSATION SCHEME AND STERLING GUARANTEES FOR PENSIONS IN AN UNEQUIVOCAL AND DETAILED STATEMENT TO ENABLE HMOCS OFFICERS SERVING IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO MAKE DECISIONS AS REGARDS
THE OPTION UNDER THE NEW PENSION SCHEME IN GOOD TIME AHEAD OF THE 30 JUNE 1992 DEADLINE IMPOSED UPON THEM'.
9. DURING THE MEETING, THERE WAS ALSO A BRIEF DISCUSSION ON SEEKING A DECLARATION IN BRITISH COURTS THAT HMG HAD AN OBLIGATION, ESTABLISHED THROUGH PRACTICE AND PRECEDENT ELSEWHERE, TO INTRODUCE APPROPRIATE COMPENSATION AND STERLING PENSION PROTECTION ARRANGEMENTS FOR HMOCS OFFICER IN HONG KONG BECAUSE OF THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997. THE ASSOCIATION DECIDED NOT TO PURSUE THIS FOR THE TIME BEING, BECAUSE OF THE ASSURANCES GIVEN THAT THE MATTER WAS UNDER ACTIVE CONSIDERATION BY HMG.
ASSESSMENT
10. THE MEETING WAS WELL ORGANISED AND CONTROLLED BY THE CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE. THEY DESERVE CREDIT FOR THIS. NEVERTHELESS, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF FRUSTRATION FELT BY THOSE ATTENDING THE MEETING, BECAUSE OF THE LAPSE OF TIME SINCE BARONESS YOUNG' STATEMENT AND THE ABSENCE OF ANY DECISIONS OR ANNOUNCEMENTS SINCE THEN. THE MANY SENIOR OFFICERS IN THE ASSOCIATION ENSURED THAT DISCUSSION WAS ORGANISED, AND THERE WAS A GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT THE ASSOCIATION SHOULD DIRECT ITS EFFORTS AT THE UK AND AVOID DOING ANYTHING TO EMBARRASS THE HKG.
15. THIS MEETING MARKED THE FORMAL ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG
HMOCS ASSOCIATION. IN ADDITION TO THE MOTION PASSED AT THE MEETING AND THE DECISION TO MAXIMISE POLITICAL PRESSURE IN THE UK, THE COMMITTEE IS CONSIDERING WHETHER TO SEEK A MEETING WITH LORD CAITHNESS DURING HIS FEBRUARY VISITS TO PRESS HIM ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. WE SHALL REPORT FURTHER ON THIS SHORTLY.
12. TO CONCLUDE, THE INAUGURAL MEETING WENT AS WELL, IF NOT BETTER, THAN WE COULD HAVE EXPECTED. IN LARGE MEASURE THIS WAS DUE TO THE EXCELLENT ORGANISATION AND RESPONSIBLE APPROACH OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE. WE APPEAR TO HAVE AVOIDED UNHELPFUL LOCAL PUBLICITY FOR THE TIME BEING. HOWEVER, AS THE MEETING WAS PARTLY