TNAG-2685-FCO40-3886-Hong-Kong-Her-Majesty-s-Overseas-Civil-Service-(HMOCS)-poli-1993 — Page 58

Covering

Confidential.

17 February 1993

E B Wiggham Esq CBE JP

Secretary for the Civil Service Civil Service Branch

Government Secretariat

Hong Kong

Dear Barry

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Thank you for inviting my comments on the letter to you of 9 February from the Chairman of the HMOCS Association.

38

2. The deadlines set out in the Secretary of State's announcement of 19 January are necessary to enable HMG to quantify accurately, and as soon as possible, the costs involved in any arrangements which may be put in place for Hong Kong HMOCS officers. Ministers cannot be expected to take final decisions on these arrangements until they have a clear indication of the costs involved. We consider that the deadline of 30 April 1993 for bought back service counting towards any compensation for HMOCS officers is reasonable, given that:

- The essential purpose of bought back service is to enable officers to increase their pension entitlement upon

retirement. The deadlines set out in the Secretary of State's announcement do not have any bearing on HKG's policy on buying back service for the purpose of enhancing pension entitlement.

- The Secretary of State has decided to allow bought back service to count as pensionable service for the purpose of calculating compensation under any compensation scheme for Hong Kong HMOCS officers. This was not a feature of previous compensation schemes.

Many officers who may be eligible for any compensation have already made decisions on transferring from contract terms to the permanent establishment and on buying back of service.

3.

I would be grateful if you would advise the Chairman of the HMOCS Association of the above. Please also assure him that we will make a further announcement on arrangements for Hong Kong HMOCS officers as soon as possible.

Ye

fincerely

Packizitz

PF Ricketts

HONG KONG DEPARTMENT

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