TNAG-2091-FCO40-2977-Royal-Hong-Kong-Police-Force-1990 — Page 59

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5.

Your anxieties on politicisation of the Police Force are unfounded. There is no intention on the part of the Hong Kong Government Administration that the Force should be politicised by becoming an executive arm of the

Government. The Political Adviser's letter of 23 October 1989 noted the arrest of members of the April 5 Action Group in the context of emphasising that no group in Hong Kong has any more tolerance than the law allows.

6. The arrangements for the special pension for overseas service are well understood and have been in existence for many years. They reflect Her Majesty's Government's desire to treat overseas pensioners fairly and to take account of their situation. I do not think there is a case for changing these arrangements.

7. You suggest that officers should be given the right to retire with immediate payment of pension, before 1997. Section IV of Annex I of the Joint Declaration provides for the continuation of public service, including service in the Police, under the Special Administrative Region Government. The transfer of sovereignty to China does not of itself give rise to claims for abolition of office. terms. [Members of the Police Force will be released from their oath of allegiance on the transfer of sovereignty in 1997. As provided for in the Joint Declaration, they

We do may continue to serve Hong Kong under the SARG. not envisage a general scheme outside the existing provisions of Hong Kong's pensions legislation to enable police officers to retire voluntarily and early with pensions on or before 1997.

8. As you state HMOCS members who elect to remain in service in Hong Kong after 1997 cannot be regarded as serving members of HMOCS. The question of preserving of HMOCS benefits is being actively considered but no decision has yet been taken. I hope that we will be able to make announcements on the details of the compensation arrangements being considered before long.

You

9. You ask also about vetting problems. We would not consider service beyond 1997 with the Hong Kong SARG as constituting service with a Communist Government. would therefore not be barred from taking up Crown appointments on such grounds. We would expect other countries to take a similar view.