TNAG-1203-FCO40-1505-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 139

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4.22 4.24

4.22

4.23

4.23.1

4.23.2

SECONDMENT OF AN OFFICER OF A DT TO THE FCO

Officers serving in DTs may be seconded to the FCO, usually for service in DT Departments, and usually for a period of two or three years. The emoluments of the officer during his secondment are a matter for agreement between the Territory and the FCO. The period of secondment counts for pension as if the officer were on duty in his own Territory. Any proposals for such secondments should be referred to the DT Staffing Section.

VALEDICTORY LETTERS (OTHER THAN GOVERNORS)

When an officer of sufficient seniority or service (see para 4.23.2) retires, his files will be examined as appropriate by the DT Staffing Section or the relevant staffing Department of ODM to consider the preparation of a valedictory letter. The HMOCS Adviser should, if necessary, be consulted. For officers who are its responsibility, DT staffing Section will draft the letter which is then either signed or submitted, if necessary, to higher authority (see para 4.8.5). (For valedictory letters for Governors see para 3.12.)

Letters are usually sent to officers of HMOCS and of Her Majesty's Overseas judiciary who fall in the following categories (subject to having completed ten years service):

Administrators, Resident Commissioners, Chief Secretaries or officers of equivalent status, Chief Justices and Judges. To be signed by the Secretary of State.

Officers retiring on age grounds (with some exceptions) whose confidential reports are entirely satisfactory. To be signed by the Deputy or Assistant Under-Secretary of State supervising DT Departments.

All officers retiring prematurely under compensation arrangements while a Territory is still dependent whose confidential reports are entirely satisfactory. To be signed by the Deputy or Assistant Under-Secretary of State supervising DT Departments.

All members retiring on grounds of ill-health, not due to their own fault, after a minimum of 10 years' service. To be signed by the Deputy or Assistant Under-Secretary of State supervising DT Departments.

4.23.3 Senior local officers who are not members of HMOCS or Her Majesty's Overseas Judiciary may also be considered for valedictory letters on a similar basis. The term "senior officer" should be interpreted as meaning the Head of a major Department or comparable officer (by reference to emoluments), and above.

4.24

RESIGNATIONS

Resignations are normally dealt with by the OAG of the Territory itself. If, however, a letter of resignation is received in the FCO, the OAG should be immediately informed. The DT geographical Department concerned should consider, in consultation with the DT Staffing Section or ODM Departments whether the officer who wishes to resign should be formally informed of the consequences of resignation, such as the loss of pension rights, leave and passages. If it is thought that he should be so informed, the OAG of the DT should be consulted, to ensure that the officer is informed either by the Government of the Territory or by means of a communication from the FCO.

October 1978

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