TNAG-2097-FCO40-2986-HM-Overseas-Civil-Service-(HMOCS)-general-correspondence-1990 — Page 52

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10th September, 1990.

The Hon. Francis Maude, M. P.,

House of Commons,

Westminster,

LONDON.

Kimberley House

The Forstal

Mersham

Near Ashford

Kent TN 25 6NY

Dear Sir,

I have just read a letter you recently wrote to Mrs. Edwina Currie on the subject of pensions for Hong Kong Civil

Servants.

In

in

third your

paragraph you state inter alia "Most HK pensioners continue to do reasonably well, certainly comparison with their UK public service counterparts.

"

I find this statement very hard to swallow. I retired from Hong Kong in September 1985 after almost 32 years service and at that time the sterling equivalent of my HK$ pension was £1,162 per month. Since that date I have received an increase of 34.8% in my HK pension but its sterling equivalent today is only £1, 100 per month, an actual

decrease of £62.00, but in real terms a loss of 35%.

On the other hand my "UK public servicecounterpart" has been awarded an increase of 24% which he actually receives so his theoretical £1162 is now worth £1441.

Would you please explain how you consider that I continue to do reasonably well.

•

.etc."

"

Yours faithfully,

J. G. Mansell.