CONFIDENTIAL
HONG KONG: HER MAJESTY'S OVERSEAS CIVIL SERVICE (HMOCS)
THE PROBLEM
1.
HMG have commitments, set out in two White Papers of
1954 and 1960, to ensure that HMOCS members are compensated and their interests safeguarded in the event of a change in their status arising from constitutional change. A summary of White Paper undertakings and Ministerial statements on
the public record is at Annex A.
2. The arrangements introduced in previous territories have included a payment of compensation to recognise the loss of the Secretary of State's protection and of career prospects; the right to retire at independence with early payment of pension; and a sterling safeguard for that
pension. These arrangements were usually made in a Public Officers Agreement under which the newly independent
government undertook to pay part. However, HMG have taken
over the funding of virtually all these arrangements (as an aid measure).
3. Hong Kong is rich, and there are other differences
between the situation there and in the territories which
were able to opt for independence. But, in the light of the
White Paper commitments, subsequent practice and Ministerial statements recognising that the change of sovereignty in
Hong Kong raises similar HMOCS issues to those in territories approaching independence, Hong Kong HMOCS officers expect comparable treatment.
4. In other territories there was a rapid departure of HMOCS members at independence or shortly thereafter. Our objective in Hong Kong is to encourage as many HMOCS members as possible to stay in their posts up to 1997 and beyond, to help secure a stable and prosperous Hong Kong and a smooth transition in 1997. A collapse of confidence in Hong Kong
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CONFIDENTIAL
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