TNAG-0789-FCO40-993-Development-of-social-policy-in-Hong-Kong-proposed-contribut-1978 — Page 56

CONFIDENTIAL

"retirement benefit" involved is a lump sum, described in the Green Paper as something "in the nature of a no claims bonus". The possible political objections would, in my view, have been considerably more serious if the issue was whether to introduce old age pensions. That may have to wait until some understanding has been reached with the Chinese on the future of Hong Kong after 1997.

9. I recommend that we should reply to Mr Ho's letter on the lines of the attached draft telegram.

The OLA concurs.

1

25 August 1978

валории

R JT McLaren

Hong Kong and General Department

There is

need

in the absence or

hoody

Our commente

one

fully

wishes,

1

to submit to Ministers of Lord Garonny Roberts

a line with timisters'

had first amended the drift on the

cassumption that they Kay what have

with the themar and in

Kong

дом

whead

ser comments;

in default of sur

but Hany Kory relegram No. 1046 (just received

Коу beneath) shows this is not the case.

CONFIDENTIAL

I have slightly streng tergo para ter ub

Tell to cont

3

за