TNAG-2423-FCO40-3525-Hong-Kong-Her-Majesty-s-Overseas-Civil-Service-(HMOCS)-poli-1992 — Page 222

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Objectives

1. To conduct face-to-face consultations with the Committee of the HMOCS Association in a fair and open-minded way, explaining the background and details of our proposed scheme, answering questions on it and ascertaining the views of the Committee so that:

(a) the Team can report the Committee's stated views to

Ministers and make recommendations in the light of

them;

(b)

the Team can also assess and report the degree of flexibility in the Committee's position and the likely consequences of the decisions which Ministers may take; (c) the Committee can be seen to have been fully and properly consulted on the proposed arrangements.

2. To minimise, as far as is possible, the risks of hostile public and private reactions by HMOCS officers (notably by stressing that decisions will be taken only after the Team has reported on the consultations and on the line taken by the Committee).

3. To reiterate the points made in the letter to Mr Cartland of 28 April if asked about early retirement with immediate payment of pension or sterling safeguards for pensions.

4.

In any

To minimise, as far as possible, media interest. contact with the media to emphasise the significance of the discussions as one stage of the process of making the necessary arrangements for HMOCS officers. To avoid being drawn on detail.

NJCABU/1

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