hurd.lamont.
CONFIDENTIAL
BILATERAL MEETING BETWEEN MR HURD AND MR LAMONT, TUESDAY 30 JULY
HONG HONG- HMOCS ISSUES
- Chris Patten and I discussed with Michael Portillo compensation and sterling safeguards for the pensions of Hong Kong members of HM Overseas Civil Service earlier this month.
- We agreed that officials would produce a series of costed options for Ministers to consider later in the summer.
Appreciate need to keep cost down. Not talking of significant sums (compensation about £9 million a year for 5 or 6 years from 1997; sterling safeguard would cost nothing unless HK dollar collapses).
But Chris Patten needs effective and loyal civil service and police force. Will be real political problems if we get an exodus or loss of morale. Will need to take account of these wider consequences.
CONFIDENTIAL
HMOCS.MS
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.