THE ASSOCIATION OF MEMBERS OF HER MAJESTY'S OVERSEAS CIVIL SERVICE (HMOCS) IN HONG KONG
31st Floor, Revenue Tower,
5 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
E B Wiggham, Esq, CBE, JP,
Secretary for the Civil Service,
Civil Service Branch,
Government Secretariat,
Hong Kong
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15 March 1993
We were disappointed that Mike Water's letter of 25th February does little to dispel the concern expressed by some Members of the Association regarding HMG's deadline for the buying back of pensionable service to count for compensation.
All we know is that, in principle, the package of arrangements to be introduced by HMG
by HMG for Members of HMOCS in Hong Kong will include some form of compensation scheme, improved SPOS arrangements and the provision of a sterling pension safeguard. We have no details and nothing formal to rely on other than HMG's opening statement of 7 April 1992, which we understand to have been overtaken by events, and HMG's statement of January 1993.
on
Some Members of the Association are now being put in the position of having to make very important decisions the buying back of pensionable service, and the method of repayment, by 30 April. Without knowledge of the "appointed day" by which they must have bought back service to count for compensation, it is
is simply not possible for them to ensure that all repayment arrangements can be scheduled to meet an unknown deadline. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, officers are being put in the position of being required to repay money
repay money they received at full value in the past in the form of contract gratuities without any clear idea of the extent to which the real value of the pensions they will be buying back will be maintained in future. The details of the SPOS and sterling safeguard provisions are directly relevant in this context. They are in effect being asked to buy something they cannot see.
We should be grateful if you would convey your views to the Secretary of State and urge him to set these HMOCS deadlines aside until further details have been announced and Members have had reasonable period to consider these
details.
(M D Cartland) Chairman
HMOCS Association