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cases, the newly independent country guaranteed the sterling value of the pension at the rate applicable at or about independence day. These officers normally had to have been appointed on overseas terms, to the pensionable establishment, and to a post where a normal channel of recruitment or appointment was by the Secretary of State or through the Colonial Office or Crown Agents.
4.
We have now established with the HKG that there are some 57 serving officers in a similar appointment category in Hong Kong. There are also about 270 retired Indian and Pakistani officers (living in the Sub-continent) who may fall into the same category but we doubt whether they are aware of the practice.
5.
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It is possible that at least some of these serving officers will seek an assurance that HMG will safeguard their pensions in the same way as HMOCS officers, and there coudl be a number of judges (who may still transfer to pensionable terms at any time - but not HMOCS after 30 September 1992) who will be aware of the history. We doubt that those officers retired on the Indian Sub-continent will pursue the issue.
6. Our policy with regard to the pensions of Hong Kong civil
servants has been clear:
Our general responsibility was to see that adequate arrangements were made in the JD for the payment of pensions.
This we have done by inclusion in the JD of a provision which requires that pensions are to be paid on terms no less favourable than beforehand.
- We have also recognised our special responsibilities towards
sub.pens.ADMIN
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