ALCABB
PS/Mr Maude
I submit a draft reply
M V Stone
FNM Pusinelli Esq
Chairman
Overseas Service Pensioners' Association
63 Church Road
Hove
Sussex BN3 2BD
Thank you for your letter of 25 April following up some points on HMOCS members in Hong Kong.
You suggest that there is a material difference (and disbenefit) for HMCOS members between the situation in Hong Kong and other former territories in the fact that Hong Kong will not become independent but will become a highly autonomous region of China. Frankly I do not see why this should be so. The Joint Declaration provides for continuing careers for expatriate officers. states that "Hong Kong's previous system of recruitment, employment, assessment, discipline training and management for the public service (including special bodies for appointment, pay and conditions of service)
be maintained".
shall
It
As I said in my previous letter, the provisions in the Joint Declaration are important: you should not simply try to dismiss them. They are contained in a binding international agreement. China has an excellent record in abiding by its international obligations. They have consistently reaffirmed their adherence to the Joint Declaration and the "one country, two systems concept. We are confident that the Chinese have just as strong an interest in maintaining Hong Kong's stability and prosperity as we do.
This
You refer again to the limited Compensation Scheme. scheme is already in operation. Expatriate officers are now generally required to retire at or before 57 years of age: this is speeding up the localisation of senior posts. If it becomes necessary for expatriate officers to retire early to facilitate localisation, this will happen and they will receive compensation. If expatriate officers are passed over for reasons of localisation,
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