TNAG-0697-FCO40-847-Pension-scheme-for-governors-1978 — Page 32

ADMINISTRATION IN CONFIDENCE

35

HKA 233/1

Yes.

Mr Stratt

stratton

Thank you r. much. Vintafuli hi

GOVERNORS PENSIONS

2378.

1. At a meeting last month you told me that you had been approached during your Caribbean tour by one of the Governor's wives. She was anxious to know what her pensionable position would be were her husband to die in office.

2. The short answer is that there is no provision for Widows pensions under the Governors Pension Act. However, most widows of Governors would probably qualify for a pension from some other source. For example HMOCS Governors often remain in a Widows Pension Scheme operated by a territory where they have served previously. This is the position with Mr Russell (I understand that it was his wife who raised the subject). I attach a schedule setting out the pension position for the various categories of Governors.

3. In conjunction with the pension experts in ODM we have been considering whether there might be a case for introducing a specific Pensions Scheme to cover Governor's wives. On the whole we think not because:

(a) very few officers are involved;

(b) most are covered by Pension Schemes in their previous

colonial or other official service;

(c) as most Governors are appointed not long before

retiring age, such a scheme would not be financially viable.

Lukuchun

22 August 1978

ADMINISTRATION

RJT McLaren

Hong Kong and General Department

HKA 233/1

RECEIVED

24 AUG 1978

DESK OFFICERY

INDEX

DJ

IN

› Taker.

B

2

24/ His foregoi

ра