Foreign & Commonwealth
Office
File
641
4 December 1992
HKA 233/1
DJEM ET
Mr K Woodfield
HMT
London SWIA 2AH
Telephone: 071-
Dee Kevin
HMOCS: LINE TO TAKE WITH THE HMOCS ASSOCIATION
1.
You will recall that we agreed that the Hong Kong Government (HKG) could inform the Chairman of the HMOCS Association that "HMG hopes that further consultations can be held in the near future on package of proposals which will include provision for a sterling pension safeguard",
if pressed on the question of compensation HKG could say "consideration is also being given to a compensation scheme as part of the overall package",
2. The HKG have now given this line to the Chairman. He has replied that it is unacceptable to the Association Committee and that they are not prepared to put out such an ambiguous statement to their membership. Hong Kong advise that the Association Committee are now very worried that they are about to lose control of the situation. They believe that the statement will be interpreted by most of their members as evidence that HMG is deliberately prevaricating. In their eyes any progress would be seen as being conditioned by the word "hope". The Association Committee consider that this could create a furore, that the issue would become public and there may be public condemnation of HMG, and possibly HKG by a number of HMOCS officers. The Committee do not want this to happen, but believe it is inevitable unless a more positive statement is forthcoming very soon. Hong Kong add that frustrations have been heightened by our failure to live up to assurances to hold further rounds of consultations.
Hong Kong advise that the Chairman and his Committee would not even attempt to seek re-election unless a more positive statement can be issued.
3.
Hong Kong's assessment is that the minimum acceptable statement is "HMG has agreed in principle to a revised compensation scheme along traditional lines and the provision of a sterling pension safeguard. Further consultations will be held as soon as possible". Hong Kong have asked us to give clearance to use this line by 7 December.
hmt.let.ADM
SLM