basic pension (as other former overseas territories have done under Public Officers' Agreements) and to make up any shortfall from the pension increases that the Hong Kong Government would otherwise pay. This should be acceptable to the Hong Kong Government as they would not have to pay any more; they would merely change the category of the payments. However, the British Government would be required under the 1977 Regulations to make up the consequent sterling shortfall in the Hong Kong increase payments. In this way the original intentions of the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 would be fulfilled.