2
4.
The formation of the Association in no way implied disloyalty by HMOCS members to the Hong Kong Government. The issue of continuity of service with the SAR was a separate issue and HMOCS membership was without prejudice to offers to continue in HKG/SAR employment. Mr. Cartland explained that the future of HMOCS was at last being taken seriously by HMG.
A team consisting of HM Treasury and ODA officials had visited Hong Kong in December 1991 and had met the interim committee.
5.
He went on to explain that the Association was not a union, and that it was registered with the Registrar of Societies. It was intended that the Association would not be abrasive or confrontational. Its aim was to define the obligations of HMG towards members of HMOCS in Hong Kong. HMOCS was a UK and not a Hong Kong problem. He then asked Mr. Wiggham to speak.
6.
Mr. Wiggham said that he welcomed the formation of the HMOCS Association and that he would continue to press HMG until all the issues relating to HMOCS had been resolved. The Civil Service Branch recognised the embryonic association as a channel of communication with HKG. The Hong Kong Government had made sure that HMG knew of the establishment of the Association. He quoted from a letter from Lord Caithness which said that HMG recognised the concerns of HMOCS officers. The Hong Kong Government supported channel for HMOCS Members to communicate their views. It was clear that the same degree of protection should be given to HMOCS as it had been in other territories. He emphasised that the Hong Kong Government could not differentiate between different categories of officers. He said chat HKG had introduced the limited compensation scheme for its own purposes. This scheme did not necessarily apply only to HMOCS officers. A general compensation scheme covering all HMOCS officers was the responsibility of HKG and HMG on the subject of a general compensation scheme and, recently, the tempo of activity in this direction had increased. There had been a continuous exchange of telegrams with FCO. Other opportunities had been taken to raise the problems of HMOCS officers with visiting officials from FCO and with Lord Caithness. Mr. Shipley and Mr. Waters had also made visits to the FCO. The problem had also been on the Governor ́s agenda on every recent visit he had made to UK. The visit by UK officials in December demonstrated that HMG was focusing on the issue and this could be taken to mean that discussions were underway between HM Treasury, the ODA and the UK Government Actuary. Ministers were also aware that proposals were to be put to them. HMG was beginning to respond to the legitimate concerns of HMOCS officers. The pressure should continue to be made in London and not in Hong Kong.
7.
Mr. Cartland remarked that over 400 out of 700 members of HMOCS were paid up members of the Association. It was clear that there was overwhelming support for the new Association. In answer to a question on whether the Hong Kong Government was prepared to vary the option date of the new pension scheme, Mr. Wiggham said that there was no intention to change the option date. He remarked that HMG was aware of the pressure on individuals in Hong Kong. In answer to a question about whether HMG was delaying an announcement until a short time before the change of sovereignty, Mr. Wiggham said that it was not. had been very high on the HMG agenda recently.
HMOCS members ́ problems Tempo and pressure had