TNAG-2101-FCO40-2990-HM-Overseas-Civil-Service-(HMOCS)-policy-matters-1990 — Page 10

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than later. expect HMG,

a good resettlement.

as

They see 1997 as the end of the road and which selected them for appointment, and HKG, employer, to assist and not to obstruct their This means that if they leave a year or two before 1997 they should not forfeit thereby their right to compensation. A point to bear in mind is that if they are required to wait until 30 June 1997 then those HMOCS members who do not wish to serve beyond that date can be expected to leave on 1 July 1997. This would be because the latest date on which they would be prepared to remain in the service would coincide with the earliest date on which they would come within the scope of HMG's The simultaneous departure of a number of officers on 1 July 1997 would hardly be conducive to a smooth changeover and I suggest that it would be in the interest of Hong Kong as well as of the officers themselves if there could be some flexibility allowing for earlier departures at mutually convenient dates.

arrangements.

HMG

are

concerned with upholding the Joint Declaration and I suppose they may not wish to be seen to be facilitating the departure of HMOCS members before 1997, although they may be relatively indifferent about wastage thereafter. I would expect HKG, on the other hand, to aim at a smooth transition with as few staff movements as possible in the weeks and months on either side of the changeover date and with wastage rates evened out as far as possible. If HMG are unwilling to concede the flexibility. for which I have argued, I suggest that HKG should consider what might be done locally to ease the situation. If HKG were So minded, use could be made of the provision in the limited compensation scheme which permits pensionable officers to retire where circumstances make it unreasonable for them to continue in the service. Some HMOCS members will look on the ending of British administration of Hong Kong as creating such circumstances. It would perhaps be possible for these circumstances to be regarded as existing even before 1997 given that it is known the change in sovereignty will certainly occur.

I should be grateful if the points made in this letter could be considered and where appropriate taken up with HMG.

I am writing to you separately today about the between HMG's arrangements and the New Pension

relationship Scheme.

Yours ever,

Alasdair

(A. Sinclair)

Principal Assistant Secretary Monetary Affairs Branch.

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