CONFIDENTIAL
SECRETARY OF STATE'S MEETING WITH THE CHIEF SECRETARY:
13 NOVEMBER 1992: HM OVERSEAS CIVIL SERVICE
Points to Make
As agreed at our meeting on 2 July, officials have costed
all the options on pension safeguards and compensation. Set
out in my minute of 10 November what I believe would be an
acceptable package.
On pension safeguards only Option A meets the criteria of
being simple to administer, consistent with previous practice,
and providing a guarantee to officers now. Have proposed a
safeguard rate of 16:1-in my view this would be fair to HMOCS
and UK taxpayers.
Much work done by our officials in examining the private
sector option. The latest advice from Hong Kong Bank is that
they do not believe it possible to provide an effective scheme without a guarantee: which could in practice only come from
HMG.
I am satisfied that this option has been taken as far as
possible: and that it will not provide the safeguard over the
long term which is required.
We must also go back to the HMOCS Association with an improved compensation offer. Option C is in line with previous practice; it will also target those who we most need
to retain - senior and middle ranking Police officers.
Do not have the time for endless refinement. We must now
take political decisions. Both the Governor and I consider it a matter of honour that HMG provide HMOCS officers with a
package consistent with that provided in the past for HMOCS.
We have many problems in Hong Kong: cannot afford massive haemorrhage of expatriates from police/civil service which could well happen if we dither any longer.
ptstomk.sosmtg.ADM
JEB
CONFIDENTIAL
POINTS
TO MAKE
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