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066554
MDHOAN 5399
-OFFICERS AGED 45 OR MORE WITH MORE THAN TEN YEARS' QUALIFYING SERVICE, WHO REMAIN ON THE OLD PENSIONS SCHEME, MAY BE AUTHORIZED TO RETIRE WITH IMMEDIATE PAYMENT OF PENSION: -OFFICERS WITH MORE THAN TEN YEARS' QUALIFYING SERVICE, WHO OPT FOR THE NEW PENSIONS SCHEME, MAY BE AUTHORIZED TO RETIRE WITH DEFERRED PENSION RIGHTS, AND IMMEDIATE PAYMENT OF PENSION MAY BE AUTHORIZED IN SUCH CASES.
(B) IT IS NOT POSSIBLE IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES TO ENVISAGE GOING BEYOND THESE PROVISIONS TO ALLOW A GENERAL RIGHT/RIGHT TO EARLY RETIREMENT WITH IMMEDIATE PAYMENT OF PENSION, BEFORE AND AFTER 30 JUNE 1997. HOWEVER, IN THEIR FUTURE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ABOUT CIVIL SERVICE ISSUES GENERALLY, HMG WILL USE THEIR BEST ENDEAVOURS TO ENSURE THAT ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE WHICH WILL COMMAND THE CONFIDENCE OF MEMBERS OF HMOCS.
(C) MEANWHILE OFFICERS WISHING TO AVAIL BEFORE 30 JUNE 1997 OF THE POSSIBILITIES FOR EARLY RETIREMENT WITHIN EXISTING PENSIONS LEGISLATION SHOULD APPLY TO THE HKG IN THE NORMAL WAY. HMG WILL TAKE AN INTEREST IN THE HANDLING OF APPLICATIONS WHICH ADDUCE, AS A REASON FOR THE APPLICATION, THE FORTHCOMING LOSS OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S PROTECTION.
8.
THIS LINE WOULD NO DOUBT DISAPPOINT HMOCS MEMBERS AND MIGHT LEAD TO PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AND CONTROVERSY. BUT IT MIGHT THEREAFTER PROVE POSSIBLE TO GIVE ALL OR MOST OF THE OFFICERS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS POINT THE SUBSTANCE OF WHAT THEY WANT, ON A DISCREET INDIVIDUAL BASIS.
HURD
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
41
DISTRIBUTION
41
.HER MAJESTY'S OVERSEAS
.CIVIL SERVICE RESTRICTED
HKD
LEGAL ADVISERS//MISS BROOKS FED
NEWS D
PS
PS/MR GOODLAD
PS/MR PATTEN
PS/PUS
SIR J COLES
MR HUM
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