CONFIDENTIAL
International
Covenants
as
in
applied to Hong Kong will
rema in
force. All this to
to be enshrined in Basic Law and remain unchanged
for 50 years.
Annual Debate
13. Cannot guarantee annual debate, but conscious of the importance of keeping Parliament regularly informed on implementation of the agreement. No doubt that Parliament will maintain interest in and commitment to Hong Kong that it has already clearly demonstrated.
Compensation Arrangements for HMOCS
14. Agreement on future of Hong Kong provides satisfactorily for continuity of service by serving officers in the public service in
Hong Kong, on terms and conditions, including pay and pensions, no
less favourable than 30 June 1997. These provisions apply to
members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service (HMOCS) serving in
Hong Kong as well as to other civil servants. Resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong by the People's Republic of China raises
similar issues in respect of HMOCS as independence has in other dependent territories. Not possible, however, to define now, 12 and
a half years in advance of constitutional change, all the arrangements which will apply. to members of HMOCS serving in Hong Kong and to payment of their pensions by the Hong Kong Government
after 1 July 1997.
Will Governor be member of Joint Liaison Group
15. Precise membership of the Group has not yet been decided.
Agreement for date 13 years in future unreal?
16. The agreement is of course a unique one. Dealing with a known
time limit fixed by duration of New Territories lease. Essential
that arrangements for future should be
be settled and known well in
advance. Important to establish climate of stability in Hong Kong
in which people of Hong Kong can plan ahead.
Chinese constitution to apply to Hong Kong after 1997? Possible Conflict between Basic Law/Chinese constitution?
17. We expect Basic Law to make clear which provisions of Chinese Constitution apply to Hong Kong.
Cannot conceive that the Basic Law
CONFIDENTIAL
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