TNAG-2059-FCO40-2937-Hong-Kong-Overseas-Service-Pensioners--Association-(OSPA)-1990 — Page 9

KINAAO

Mr Paul

PS/Mr Maude

clean

Jalr

I submit a draft reply

и

MV Stone

FNM Pusinelli Esq

Chairman

Overseas Service Pensioners Association

63 Church Road

Hove

Sussex BN3 2BD

FURTHER

WE ARE AGREED THAT

THE SITUATION IN HONG

KöNG IS DIFFERENT FRUM

OF THOSE FORMER

THAT IN OTHER FORMER BRITISH TERRITURIES WHICH MOVED TOWARDS INDEPENDENCÉ ·

Thank you for your letter of 25 April following up some points on ABOUT HMOCS members in Hong Kong.

ABOUT

I note what you say abut the Joint Declaration. However, I do not accept that the transition of Hong Kong to a Special Administrative Region of China will create a situation for HMOCS members which is materially different as regards continuity of service from that of HMOCS members who served in other former British territories which

subsequently became independent states. The Jaint Declaration enshrines an obligation on the successor sovereign to provide continuing service and preservation of the terms of service, for public servants previously serving in Hong Kong. In addition, China has reflected its undertakings in the Basic Law it has established

for Hong Kong.

I do not believe that I have underestimated the significance of the ineligibility of non-Chinese nationals to serve in certain posts and I agree that this may well affect serving officers' career prospects. That is why a limited compensation scheme has been established. This scheme is already in operation. Expatriate officers who are required to retire before their normal retirement

age or who are superceded for promotion to facilitate localisation

are eligible for compensation under the scheme.

Finally let me again reassure you that the concerns of HMOCS members

are being actively considered and we hope to ABOUT how we intend to meet these concerns, soon.

AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

make/an announcement of make an

FRANCIS MAUDE