From The Minister of State
The Hon Francis Maude MP
Jeff Rooker Esq MP
House of Commons
London SW1A OAA
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SWIA 2AH
10 October 1989
Inank you for your letter of 13 September to John Major, enclosing one from your constituent, Mr F C Goode, of 93 Meadthorpe Road, Great Barr, Birmingham, about the position of British expatriate officers in Hong Kong.
Mr Goode raises on behalf of his son a number of matte of concern to expatriate officers in the territory arising from the transfer of sovereignty ir. 1997.
I az well aware of these concerns, having talked to a number of expatriate officers during my visit to Hong Kong last
month.
First, the question of compensation for loss of career and compensation for less of protection afforded by membership of HMOCS. There is no reason to believe that the transfer of sovereignty will lead to termination of employment for 'political ressons' as Mr Coode puts it. The Sino British Joint Declaration on the future of S Kong is very clear on this point. It states that:
'After the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region, public servants previously serving in Hong Kong in all government departments including the police department and members of the judiciary, may remain in employment and continue their service with pay, allowances, benefits and conditions of service no less favourable than before.'