PS/Mr Baker
By
Baker ky 23/4
су
CONFIDENTI AL
AKKOHO
RIGNA ETWASOT NO. 31 2 6 APR 1980
RESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
мо
A
B
MP'S LETTER: HONG KONG:
COMPENSATION FOR CIVIL SERVANTS
WHEN NEW TERRITORIES LEASE EXPIRES IN 1997
Problem
1. The Hon. Charles Morrison MP (Devizes
Conservative) wrote
to Mr Blaker on 8 April, enclosing a letter from a constituent,
Mr George Mitchell.
Recommendation
2. I recommend that the Minister reply along the lines of the
attached draft.
Background
3.
Mr Mitchell's son is a Police Inspector in Hong Kong.
Mr Mitchell is seeking information on compensation paid in the
past to colonial civil servants on independence. He wants this
information in order to give his son some guidelines about what
to expect if he stays in Hong Kong until 1997.
Argument
4.
Although the information Mr Mitchell wants is available,
ODA argue that to provide it would not only be misleading but also
dangerous. HMG cannot at this stage commit themselves to any form
of compensation if and when Hong Kong ceases to be a dependent
territory. This means sending an unhelpful reply. However, I see
no alternative. We have to guard HMG's position very carefully,
both on the financial side and to avoid any political implication
about Hong Kong's future, bearing in mind that the Minister's
/reply
CONFIDENTIAL
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