TNAG-2060-FCO40-2938-Hong-Kong-Overseas-Service-Pensioners--Association-(OSPA)-1990 — Page 76

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an atmosphere is in no way conducive to continuing efficient

ministration over the next ten years.

This is not intended in

any way to cast doubts on the suitability of indigenous members of the Service to fill any posts which might fall vacant, but there is no doubt that a considerable amount of experience could be lost and, as a consequence, the standard of public administration must

inevitably fall. This is not the wish of the Association, the

members of which have always taken great pride in maintaining the highest standards of efficiency and service. To maintain these high standards in Hong Kong, the Association believes that everything possible must be done now to encourage present members of EMOCS and other overseas officers to remain at their posts.

Proposals

9. In order to achieve the foregoing, the Association believes that it is essential to allay the fears of both existing and potential overseas pensioners in Hong Kong by fixing a rate of exchange (e.g. that on the date of the signings of the "Joint Declaration") for the translation of Hong Kong dollar pensions into sterling.

10. Not only is it unlikely that the Hong Kong Government could do this, given the present attitude in the Colony toward the treatment of expatriate officers, but, as has been explained, this is not a Hong Kong Government responsibility: a view which, it seems, is currently held by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

11.

A method for stabilising basic Hong Kong pensions was given in

the enclosure to the Chairman of the Association's letter to the

Minister of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office dated 20th March, 1987 (a copy of which is attached for ease of reference Appendix A).

November, 1987.