TNAG-1157-FCO40-1437-Visits-by-FCO-Ministers-to-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 124

LORD BELSTEAD'S VISIT TO HONG KONG : 6 TO 10 DECEMBER 1982

BRIEF NO.13: HONG KONG PENSIONS

POINTS TO MAKE

SECURITY OF LOCAL CIVIL SERVANTS PENSION RIGHTS

1.

Pensions of local civil servants are a charge to the

revenue of the Hong Kong Government. They have always been met.

2.

[IF RAISED] We see no reason why it should be necessary to fund pensions, whatever the outcome of the talks on the

future of Hong Kong. This has not been normal practice in

Dependent Territories. There is no reason to believe that the

Hong Kong Government will not carry out its obligations.

3.

[IF PRESSED] The Prime Minister has expressed her

confidence that given the common objective of maintaining the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong an agreement can be reached which will be acceptable to China and Britain and which

will be welcomed by the people of Hong Kong. This must include

civil servants.

PENSIONS OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS IN HONG KONG

There is no reason to believe that the Hong Kong

Government will not carry out its obligations.

4.

5.

[IF RAISED] The pensions of certain overseas officers

from former dependencies are now paid by HMG. HMG would in the

case of Hong Kong look at the question of payment of pensions in the light of circumstances at the time.

PENSIONS IN RESPECT OF SERVANTS IN THE SHANGHAI MUNICIPALITY

6.

[IF RAISED] I do not think it would be very helpful to draw parallels . My understanding is that employees of the Shanghai Municipality were not Crown Servants.