TNAG-1638-FCO40-2282-Future-of-Hong-Kong-withdrawal-of-the-British-garrison-1987 — Page 144

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SECRET

UK EYES A

There may be some HFG disciplined services, recruit direct from

skills and trades which the HKG needs. scope for recruitment of LEPS into the but the Police in particular prefer to school/university and are reluctant to consider LEPS - Apart from those, such as dog handlers, whose specific skills they need. A joint HKG/HQBF working group has been formed to explore, inter alia, the scope for individual transfers to G service. The possibility of transfer to UK-based service, Which requires naturalisation for an entitlement to reside in the UK, is remote (following the passage of the British Nationality Act 1981), but applications may be pursued on a case by case basis.

5.

LEP/LEC Key Dates in the Rundown. It is essential for the well-being of the garrison that the full support of LEPS and LECS is retained throughout. Once the fundown plan has been finalised many will be concerned about their future prospects, and as 1997 approaches it may be necessary to provide some form of financial inducement to encourage those LEPS and LECS we need to retain in HMG employment until 30 Jun 97. Several issues such as revised terms of service and rudundancy/gratuity provisions will require resolution by the time the LFP/LFC rundown plan has been finalised. The likely development of the garrison rundown plan indicates the following broad timescale for resolution of LEP/LEC Issues:

a. Chinese New Year (Jan) 1987. Announcement of a

general statement covering resettlement issues and action in hand to review redundancy/gratuity provisions. This announcement was made during the drafting of this paper).

b. Chinese New Year 1990. Provisional deadline for

announcing details of future conditions of service.

c. Jeriod 1991-93. Beginning of the garrison rundown and associated LEP/LEC redundancies or transfers.

COS S/173(1)

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UK EYES A

SECRET LOCSEN

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