CONFIDENTIAL
+IKA 233/1
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 2928
OF 19044OZ DECEMBER 92
TOP COPY Q DIST?
655
177653
MDLIAN 2758
HMOCS : HMOCS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
1.
THE HMOCS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WAS HELD ON 19 DECEMBER. TURN-OUT AT ABOUT 150 WAS GOOD FOR EARLY ON A SATURDAY MORNING. CARTLAND AND THE PRESENT COMMITTEE SECURED RE-ELECTION. THE MEMBERSHIP QUIETLY NOTED THE LINE THAT 'HMG INTENDS THAT FURTHER CONSULTATIONS BE HELD IN THE NEAR FUTURE ON A PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS WHICH WILL INCLUDE PROVISION FOR A STERLING PENSION SAFEGUARD' AND OUR ASSURANCES ABOUT ACCOMMODATING A RIGHT TO RETIREMENT.
2.
HOWEVER A DEEP SENSE OF FRUSTRATION WAS APPARENT OVER THE CONTINUED DELAY IN HOLDING FURTHER CONSULTATIONS. MEMBERS FELT STRONGLY THAT EARLY CONSULTATIONS WERE AN IMPORTANT MATTER OF CREDIBILITY FOR BOTH HMG AND THE ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE.
3.
OUR ASSESSMENT IS THAT THE LINE TAKEN BY CARTLAND AT THE MEETING WILL CONTAIN THE SITUATION AND PREVENT ANY ERUPTION OF DAMAGING PUBLIC CRITICISM FOR A FEW MORE WEEKS. HOWEVER THE UNDERLYING MESSAGE IS VERY CLEAR. DECISIONS ON WHICH FURTHER CONSULTATIONS CAN THEN PROCEED ARE REQUIRED URGENTLY. WE WOULD HOPE THAT A FURTHER CONSULTATION VISIT CAN BE HELD IN JANUARY.
PATTEN
YYYY
MAIN
42
.HER MAJESTY'S OVERSEAS
.CIVIL SERVICE RESTRICTED
HKD
LEGAL ADVISERS//MISS BROOKS
FED
DISTRIBUTION
42
OVERSEA PENSIONS/ODA//MR FISH
PS
PS/MR GOODLAD
PS/PUS
SIR J COLES
PAGE
1
CONFIDENTIAL