The Rt Hon Christopher Patten
香港總督
Dr. Ricketts, HKD
Тор стру
Corli
GOVERNMENT HOUSE
HONG KONG
Fux ce circulatel
Or 2%
Fuglen
13 October 1992
HMOCS Arrangements
I am very concerned that arrangements for HMOCS in Hong Kong have not yet been finalised. When I was working in the FCO before taking up my appointment, I had every expectation that this issue could be resolved quickly and to the general satisfaction of all
concerned. But it seems once again to have got stuck in the mud.
As you know, equitable and well-established arrangements for members of HMOCS were introduced in all other HMOCS territories, without exception, when HMG's sovereignty passed to a successor Government. These included a compensation scheme for the loss of the Secretary of State's authority upon a change of sovereignty and subsequent Sterling pension protection arrangements. There is no earthly reason why Hong Kong HMOCS officers should not receive similar treatment. Indeed, several HMOCS officers transferred to Hong Kong from other former colonial territories confident in the knowledge that they would be protected by similar arrangemento, as set out in the 1950 White Paper. is a clear and well-established moral commitment to be honoured.
There
So far HMG have had one round of consultations with the Hong Kong HMOCS Association on an outline proposal for a compensation scheme. This took place well before I arrived. The proposal fell far short of what was granted to HMOCS officers in other territories, and was naturally not acceptable to the Association. I was under the impression that the compensation scheme would be revised to bring it more into line with traditional schemes elsewhere, but we have heard no more. I was also assured that action was proceeding on the equally, if not more, important issue of Sterling pension safeguards. Again nothing has materialised. And the HMOCS Association was assured of another round of consultations in the Autumn. These have not yet taken place.
CONFIDENTIAL
B