SECRET
245
103327
MDHIAN 6820
HKA
233%
SECRET
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 1526
OF 270734Z SEPTEMBER 93
INFO ROUTINE PEKING, UKREPJLG HONG KONG
27 SEP 1993
TC Qbor?
OPY
KREB
Personal for Ricketts (HKD) from Governor HMOCS : HK HMOCS Association
1. The Chairman of the HMOCS Association has written to Mr. Goodlad, Minister of State, expressing concern about the apparent Lack of progress and the absence of any announcement on HMOCS arrangements. The letter also highlights, in strong terms, the concern of the HMOCS Association about certain recent developments in Hong Kong, which they claim are adding to further uncertainty and damaging morale in the absence of a substantive announcement on HMOCS. A copy of this letter is being faxed to Morris (HKD) separately.
2. The objective of the letter is to ascertain the current state of play and press HMG for an early decision and announcement. In doing so the Association has however raised other issues, which they claim to be related, such as an alleged lack of progress on implementation of our own Limited Compensation Scheme (LCS) and the Localisation of posts having responsibility for the management and control of the public service without any prior or parallel announcement of HMOCS arrangements. These allegations are somewhat personal and controversial.
3. In formulating a reply you might wish to bear in mind that there has been no dilution of the localisation policy. The reference to overseas contract officers relates solely to the change in policy under which an overseas agreement officer, who has acquired permanent Hong Kong resident status may, as an interim measure, apply for transfer to local agreement terms of service.
4. The HKG remains committed to Localisation. We are working on detailed plans for Localisation of posts under the LCS at the future principal official Level. We expect to be in a position to Let HMOCS officers affected know where they stand within the next month or so.
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