which any payments are made and others.
- (If pressed) Subject to negotiation. further at this stage.
Cannot comment
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST, WHO PAYS, WHEN WILL IT HAPPEN?
-
Cannot yet say how much the cost will be. But whatever
the costs for the proposals under consideration, HMG will pay. Payments will be made from 1997 onwards.
WHAT ABOUT STERLING SAFEGUARDS AND SPOS?
- The question of sterling safeguards is a difficult and
complex one. No decisions have yet been taken.
- On SPOS, this is a very technical and complicated subject. Would not want to mislead you. Suggest you talk to Overseas Development Administration.
IS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT INVOLVED?
- No, discussions on the proposals in the statement are a
matter between HMG and the HMOCS officers.
(If pressed on HKG's involvement in sterling safeguards) This is a difficult and complex question. The issues are
still under consideration. Cannot comment further.
HAVE THE CHINESE BEEN CONSULTED? WHAT WAS THEIR REACTION?
We have informed the Chinese. They know that we shall be
holding consultations with representatives of HMOCS.
WILL THIS NOT BE VERY DIVISIVE VIS A VIS LOCAL CIVIL
SERVANTS?
- The proposals under discussion are a matter between HMG
and the HMOCS officers concerned. HKG for its part has an
REGACN/2