TNAG-2097-FCO40-2986-HM-Overseas-Civil-Service-(HMOCS)-general-correspondence-1990 — Page 128

Mr Paul, HKD Grateful if

Could

you Arrange for a dept. reply to be sent.

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JX PS/Mr Maude

V.Ewan 2/7

Mr Francis Maude, MP,

Minister of State for Foreign

& Commonwealth Affairs,

c/o Foreign & Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street,

London SW1A 2AH

U.K.

02 JUL 1990

Flat A9 Monticello, 48 Kennedy Road, Hong Kong.

25 June 1990

lever sent

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aly

Dear Sir,

as an

Pension Options for HMOCS officers in HK

terms

I am employed on Permanent and Pensionable Administrative Officer by the Hong Kong Government. I was enrolled as a member of HMOCS by the Secretary of State in connection with my appointment. The purpose of this letter is to seek a firm indication of HMG's intentions towards officers who, like myself, are members of HMOCS, in order that I may make an informed choice on pension options which the HKG now requires me to do.

Background

Until 1987, the normal retirement age for HK civil servants was 55.

In 1987, the retirement age for new recruits was raised to 60. Serving officers, like myself, have an option to retire at 55, or go on until 60. We must exercise this option before 30 June 1992. I will be 55 in 2003 and 60 in 2008.

The

The Joint Declaration permits overseas officers to work for the HKSARG (subject to their being barred from certain senior posts). As stated in Mr

Mr Richard Luce's letter of 15 April 1985, to the Chairman of OSPA, it would not be possible for HMOCS service to continue in Hong Kong after 1997 and HMG accepts the need to address and resolve the position of HMOCS officers before 1997. possibility of a general compensation scheme and a public officer's agreement at the same time as, or shortly before, the change of sovereignty has been mentioned. A limited compensation scheme for Hong Kong is already in existence. General compensation schemes were a feature of other territories undergoing a constitutional change, for which HMG was originally responsible.