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While we are interested in the matter of the compensation scheme for officers still serving in 1997 this is not formally a matter falling within the Association's constitutional purposes. Our prime concern has always been to safeguard the value of Hong Kong overseas pensions, both currently and post 1997, and it was to this end that Lord Grey was seeking assurances that the British Government would accept their obligation in the same way as was done in all other Colonies. The long delays that had occurred were beginning to cause and are still causing serious worries among our members.
We were therefore much pleased when the first round of negotiations started in Hong Kong in May, and that you yourself had made visits there to discuss the problems affecting past and present members of HMOCS. I understand that the second round of negotiations is now likely to take place soon. I hope that the British Government's negotiating team has been empowered to reach an agreement satisfying the proper expectations of the Hong Kong officers and pensioners. Lord Grey and the members of the Association's Executive Committee believe that the representative nature of this Association, and the role that we have played over the past thirty years in negotiations with the British Government on behalf of our members from all the former Colonies, entitle us directly associated with their negotiations, along with the Association of HMOCS Officers in Hong Kong. I believe that we should be able to offer valuable advice to help the negotiations succeed. If there are working papers being circulated during the negotiations, it would be helpful if we could be permitted to see them and to submit views or comments, as appropriate. I shall be grateful for confirmation from you that you see no difficulty in meeting these requests.
If you would like to have a personal discussion with Lord Grey, or with myself and other representatives of the Association about any aspect of the current negotiations, I should be pleased to arrange it. Meanwhile the Secretary of the Association, Mr. David Le Breton, who replaced the former Secretary, Mr. Douglas Stenton, earlier this year, will be making contact with your officials in order to improve liaison.
Yours sincerely,
7. N
F.N. Pusinelli
Chairman
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