Pa
W220
I Given to HMOCS Association IN representatives on 7 April 1
CONFIDENCE
HKA 233/1
M
817.
7/10.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF HMG IN OPENING CONSULTATIONS
WITH HMOCS REPRESENTATIVES IN HONG KONG!
Her Majesty's
Government have carefully
considered how to make provision for members of Her
Majesty's Overseas Civil Service in the special
Hong
Kong becoming a
circumstances
of
Administrative Region
1 July 1997.
The
representations they
Association of HMOCS in Hong Kong and other individual
officers.
They also recognise that members of HMOCS in
Hong Kong wish to know as soon as possible the results of
these deliberations. The issues are complicated and
despite intensive work the process of drawing up proposals
has taken longer than envisaged. The government are
grateful for the sense of responsibility and patience shown
by HMOCS officers.
Special
of the People's Republic of China on
government have taken note of the
have received from the members of the
2.
HMG have
outline of a scheme
payments to HMOCS
representatives
the
of
now formulated a proposal for an providing compensation and incentive
officers and wish to consult the
the officers concerned about it.
Schemes have always been tailored to the particular
circumstances in the territory concerned and it has been policy of HMG to try to ensure that the arrangements
that are made when the Secretary of State relinquishes his
responsibilities are not such as to encourage members of
HMOCS to leave the territory when it still needs their.
services. In the case of Hong Kong, it is the policy of
that arrangements introduced in respect of HMOCS should
contribute to a smooth transition in 1997 and that members
of HMOCS should be encouraged to continue to serve in
Hong Kong to assist in maintaining its economic prosperity and social stability.
HMG
IN CONFIDENCE