CONFIDENTIAL
Dr Norris, HKD
I do not thin an surety V
Stente ud. dis que
this advin
Piney Sovering
The minster
Iss
21 MAY 1993
ALFROM: J C Morris
DATE:
24/5.
HKA 233/1 6.5. Day 24/
26 1993
24/5
CC:
Hong Kong Department
20 May 1993
PS/Baroness Chalker PS/PUS
Sir J Coles
Mr Muir
Mr Kirby, ODA
Miss Brooks, Legal
Advisers
Mr Fish, ODA RMD
157
Mr
PS/Mr-Goodrad
كلم
Private Secretary
Azz's
22
HONG KONG: HER MAJESTY'S OVERSEAS CIVIL SERVICE (HMOCS)
A
1. We have received a telegram from Peking (telno 685) which
suggests an additional reason for not deviating from past practice in making arrangements for HMOCS. This is that if we
can demonstrate that arrangements made for HMOCS in Hong Kong are identical to past practice it will be easier to resist
Chinese meddling as we can argue that our hands are tied by
precedent.
2. I consider that Peking's point does not hold much water.
When we briefed the Chinese on HMOCS in March 1992 we pointed out inter alia that previous schemes varied from territory to territory taking account of local circumstances. But we also
said that in the case of Hong Kong we wished to avoid encouraging early retirement among HMOCS officers which might be disruptive at the time of transition. If the Chinese want
min.hmocs.ADMIN
JEB
CONFIDENTIAL