TNAG-2100-FCO40-2989-HM-Overseas-Civil-Service-(HMOCS)-policy-matters-1990 — Page 81

GR 200

SECRET

SECRET

04

CI

DESKEY 18140JZ

FN HONG KONG 18101CZ SEP 64

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

SIC

TELEGRAM NUMBER 2820 OF 16 SEPTEMBER

INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING

་་

YOUR TELNO 1949: FUTURE OF HONG KONG: PENSIONS.

ра

•

Copied to Mr Beatt

Ова

1. I FEEL STRONGLY THAT HMG SHOULD NOT ENTER INTO A PUBLIC COMMITMENT TO TAKE OVER THE PAYMENT OF PENSIONS TO HONG KONG HMOCS OFFICERS. THIS WOULD BE HIGHLY DIVISIV (AND THERSE IS ALSO THE POINT THAT IT WOULD INCREASE THE PRESSURE ON HMG TO TAKE OVER THE PAYMENT OF ALL HONG KONG PUBLIC SERVICE PENSIONS EARNED IN RESPECT OF CROWN SERVICE). MOREOVER, THE JOINT DECLARATION PROVIDES THAT THE SAR GOVERNMENT WILL PAY PENSIONS TO RETIRED PUBLIC SERVANTS IRRESPECTIVE OF NATIONALITY OR PLACE OF RESIDENCE. EVEN TO HINT AT THIS STAGE, AT THE POSSIBILITY THAT HMG MIGHT TAKE OVER HMOCS OFFICERS' PENSIONS COULD BE MISCONSTRUED AS IMPLYING A LACK OF FAITH IN THE

SAR GOVERNMENT HONOURING ITS COMMITMENT AND ADD TO LOCAL OFFICERS' ALREADY GRAVE CONCERN ABOUT THE SECURITY OF THEIR PENSIONS.

2. IN MY VIEW, THEREFORE, THE REPLY TO THE OVERSEAS SERVICE PENSIONERS ASSOCIATION SHOULD GO NO FURTHER THAN TO SAY THAT HMG HAS NO PLANS TO TAKE OVER THE PAYMENT OF PENSIONS TO HONG KONG HMOCS OFFICERS.

HADDON-CAVE

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

LIMITED

HD/HKD

HD/FED

HD/PLANNING STAFF HD/PUSD

DEP HD/PUSD

RESEARCH D (MR WALKER)

LEGAL ADVISERS (SIR J FREELAND) PS

PS/LADY YOUNG

PS/MR LUCE

PS/PUS

SIR W HARDING

SIR C TICKELL

MR GOODALL

MR DEREK THOMAS MR. BOYD

COPIES TO:-

COPY DRAFT REPLY TO TREASURY".

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

PS/HOME SECRETARY

PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL

PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY

COPIES TO:- (VIA ADR)

MR ROBERTS NEWS DEPT

MR BICKFORD LEGAL ADVISERS (K.197)

MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISERS

MR POWELL NO 10 DOWNING ST.

MR INGHAM NO 10 DOWNING ST.

MR MARTIN ASSESSMENTS STAFF CABINET OFFIC MR CARTLEDGE CABINET OFFICE

MR COLVIN

CABINET OFFICE

PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE

PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL

SIR P CRADOCK ROOM K195

SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING ST.

SIR E YOUDE KIGSA.

SECRET