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HER MAJESTY'S OVERSEAS CIVIL SERVICE
General
The resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong by
the People's Republic of China raises similar issues in respect of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service as independence has raised in
other dependent territories.
The Government fully recognise the particular concerns of HMOCS
officers in Hong Kong.
We will continue to keep their interests, as well as the
interests of local civil servants, contract officers and other
expatriate officers, in mind in the years leading to 1997.
Sterling safeguards
In other cases, this question has been settled much closer to
the time of constitutional change.
It would be a significant departure from previous practice to
contemplate such arrangements at this stage.
[If pressed]
We are aware that recent depreciation of Hong Kong dollar along
with US dollar has had impact on value of pensions.
Wrong to determine policy on the basis of short term trends. Link between Hong Kong and US dollars, introduced in 1983,
provides stability over long term.
Hong Kong Government awards annual pension increases based on
movements in Consumer Price Index in Hong Kong.
These afford measure of protection to extent that exchange rate
movements are reflected in Consumer Price Index.
Public Officers Agreement
I do not rule out a public officers agreement in due course. But it is possible that in the unique circumstances of Hong Kong there may prove to be other ways of laying down the provisions to be applied to members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service.
Some areas normally covered by such agreements have already been satisfactorily set out in the Joint Declaration, which provides for
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