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8. As for the details of the proposed
compensation/incentive scheme, my officals confirmed that
they valued the meeting with your officials on 28 February, at which a number of helpful suggestions were discussed.
remains our view that the maximum sum payable should be calculated on the basis indicated in my minute of
It
26 February, but we shall reflect further on whether it is right to put that to HMOCS officers at the beginning of the consultation process. We are also looking further at the possibility of a different phasing of the payments, both in
terms of whether they offer the most cost-effective way of
meeting our objectives and in terms of how we negotiate with
the HMOCS Association in Hong Kong. Finally, we are exploring an interesting idea which your officials raised
for devising arrangements which would discourage (even if we
could not prevent) officers at present on contract-terms
from taking up their right to enrol as HMOCS officers. This could also have a bearing on the potential maximum cost of
any contingent liability which OD (K) subsequently agrees for sterling safeguards for HMOCS officers.
9. I am grateful for your agreement that your officials should continue to assist us where they can in refining our proposals. We shall want to take up this offer and in any case will keep your officials closely informed of our
thinking and of the consultation process.
X
Secretary of State
JIFABG/4
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