ان
S
14.
4. To sum up, we are in full sympathy with an officers
desire to be assured that his sterling pension should
not be subject to a decrease on account of exchange
variations. On the other hand it is but reasonable
that the Secretary of State should not be expected to
give an unconditional guarantee which might commit the
Hong Kong Government to payment of sterling pensions at
a rate considerably higher than that envisaged when the
guarantee was given.
US
Perhaps you would let me know if after reading this
letter you consider there are still risks against which
expatriate officers can reasonably ask to be safe-
}
guarded' but I feel I must say quite frankly, that, on the information at present before us, we cannot see any
justification for advising the Secretary of State to
withdraw the proviso made in paragraph 2 of his
telegram No. 640.
Yours sincerely,