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Annex I
Objectives
1. To conduct face-to-face consultations with the Committee
of the HMOCS Association in a fair and open-minded way, explaining the background and details of our proposed
scheme, answering questions on it and ascertaining the views
of the Committee so that:
(a) the Team can report the Committee's stated views to
Ministers and make recommendations in the light of
them;
(b)
(c)
the Team can also assess and report the degree of flexibility in the Committee's position and the likely consequences of the decisions which Ministers may take; the Committee can be seen to have been fully and
properly consulted on the proposed arrangements.
2.
To minimise, as far as is possible, the risks of hostile public and private reactions by HMOCS officers (notably by stressing that decisions will be taken only after the Team has reported on the consultations and on the line taken by the Committee).
3. To reiterate the points made in the letter to Mr Cartland of 28 April if asked about early retirement with immediate payment of pension or sterling safeguards for
pensions.
4. To minimise, as far as possible, media interest.
In any
contact with the media to emphasise the significance of the
discussions as one stage of the process of making the necessary arrangements for HMOCS officers. To avoid being drawn on detail.
NJCABU/1
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