г
X
them, although we naturally keep the matter under review.
You refer to the right to retire before 1997. I can well understand that the position of your members might well be untenable in the event of a complete breakdown of the arrangements envisaged under the Joint Declaration. But that is by no means a most probable scenario and we shall continue to work to ensure that it does not happen. The Joint Declaration provides, as I am sure you know, that public servants, including members of the police, may continue their service after 1997 with pay, allowances, benefits and conditions of service no less favourable than before. These are important stipulations, contained in an internationally binding agreement. They should not be dismissed lightly.
As far as HMOCS
You ask about service beyond 1997. officers are concerned, the Government is actively considering the question of preserving HMOCS benefits but no decision has yet been taken. However, I hope that it will be possible to announce our intentions before long. As far as local officers are concerned, there will be provision for them in our nationality legislation, which we shall be presenting to Parliament very shortly.
As far as potential vetting problems are concerned, would not consider service in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as constituting grounds for barring them from taking up a Crown appointment. We would expect other governments to take a similar view.
You ask about conscription to the People's Liberation Army. There is no law of conscription in Hong Kong `and Article 18 of the draft Basic Law precludes the Chinese authorities from exercising the power of conscription on the territory.
The oath of allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen will clearly be inappropriate post-1997. Thereafter, officers may continue to serve in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, on the basis provided for in the
Joint Declaration.
You raise the question of right of abode in the United Kingdom for the spouses of members of your Association. All those members of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force who are British Citizens, and who were recruited in the United Kingdom, are covered by the British Citzenship (Designated Service) Order 1982. This means that the Home Secretary may waive the normal residential requirement for the naturalistaiton of the non-British
X
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.