TNAG-2059-FCO40-2937-Hong-Kong-Overseas-Service-Pensioners--Association-(OSPA)-1990 — Page 82

港布政司署

Dear Colvyn

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT HONG KONG

15 February 1990

I am writing in reply to your letter of 8 January about pensions. Although it has been a year since ExCo last considered this issue it does

it does not mean that we have not been actively pursuing their suggestions.

Civil Service Branch has recently completed its investigation into the three ExCo recommendations referred to in your letter with the following results:-

(a) То provide relief in cases of genuine hardship, it is proposed to establish a small fund to be managed by the Pensioners Welfare Unit. The fund would be used to provide one-off payment to pensioners in distress.

(b).

(c)

Nothing better than Consumer Price Index 'A' has been found as а base for pension increases. However, it is considered that a case exists for making pension increases a statutory right rather than their being the discretion of the Government as present.

at

at

HKG

This

(You

There is no satisfactory means whereby can provide currency protection for the pension of overseas officers alone. must therefore remain a matter for HMG. will appreciate that since "June 4" pension safeguards has become an even more emotive issue with local officers and it would be quite impossible to obtain agreement in present circumstances to any limited scheme).

I appreciate that there is little if anything, in the above for overseas pensioners but I am afraid the prevailing political and financial climate

precludes

HAFAZ

our

going any further at this stage. We hope to go to ExCo with the proposals in early April and I will let you know the outcome in due course.

All the best for the year of the Horse,

Yours eve

Juven

(David Ford) Chief Secretary

Mr Colvyn Haye, CBE

"Wymering"

Sheet Common

Nr. Petersfield Hants GU31 5AT United Kingdom