P.P.
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CONFIDENTIAL
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HKA 233/393/1
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J M Rowlands Esq JP Secretary for the Civil Service
Government Secretariat HONG KONG
3 May 1978
HKA 233/393/1
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REGNLD SAY NO. ST
4 MAY 1978
CUGA TOIS
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HONG KONG PENSION COMMITMENT
1.
The problem of HMG's possible future financial commitment with regard to Hong Kong Government pensions (including widows and orphans) is one which has given us concern for some time. Alan Scott's letter of 22 May 1975 advised us that the Senior Non-Expatriate Officers' Association had raised the question of the security of their pensions. When Alan visited here in July 1975 the matter was discussed further with the pension experts from ODM. It was agreed that there was a need to make a full assessment of the future financial commitment.
2. The subject was not pursued much further at that time, but we have recently started again to give serious considera- tion to this potential liability which could fall on the UK taxpayer. We know that until recently you have been deeply involved in the introduction of your new Widows and Orphans Pensions legislation; now that this is out of the way, I wonder if I could ask you to give some thought to ways of safeguarding public sector pensions in the future.
3. In our consideration of this subject, we have of course been having discussions with the Pensions Department of ODM. They have shown us a Saving Telegram dated 16 Jamiary this year (your reference CP41/5/4) asking for information and advice about the funding of central government pension schemes. I should be grateful tó know the background to this enquiry: does it mean that you are seriously considering introducing such a system?
Noted
P.P. b/
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Mr J West ODM
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CONFIDENTI AL
LADY
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JA B Stewart
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