XN000022-1996-10-30 — Page 33

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Redundancy payments for Chinese British garrison personnel

Following is a question by the Hon David Chu Yu-lin and a reply by the acting Secretary for Security, Mrs Carrie Yau, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Is the Government aware of:

(a)

the total amount of redundancy payments that will be made to the Chinese military personnel of the British garrison stationed in Hong Kong as a result of the withdrawal of the garrison from the territory by 30 June 1997;

(b)

the regulations governing such redundancy payments; and

(c)

the criteria for calculating such redundancy payments?

Reply:

Mr President,

Since 1 January 1994 when the major reductions in the British garrison began, about HK$168M has been paid to redundant Chinese military personnel of the British garrison stationed in Hong Kong in gratuity and redundancy payments. It is estimated that a further HK$366M will be paid out between now and 30 June 1997.

The regulations and criteria used to calculate these payments are drawn up by the Ministry of Defence and Her Majesty's Treasury and are underpinned by the general principles that apply to award of benefits for termination of service, including redundancy to UK based service personnel. They are based on ranks, the number of years already served and the number of years the personnel can expect employment with the British garrison had it not been a change of sovereignty.

End