HKA
233/1
RECE
04 JUN 1993
Mr Whitney. трах
Jr3/6
RECORD OF A CALL ON MR GOODLAD BY THE HмOCS ASSOCIATION: GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONG KONG: 31 MAY 1993
Those present:
Mr Michael Cartland,
Chairman, HMOCS
Mr Chris Birch, Vice Chairman
HMOCS
Mr Goodlad
Mr Morris, HKD
Mr Osborne, BTC, Hong Kong PS/Mr Goodlad
/
Last
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1. Mr Cartland said it had been over a year since initial discussions on safeguards for HMOCS. Members were naturally concerned. He had tried to reassure them on the basis of informal messages he had received about HMG's position. December he had understood that a package was on the Prime Minister's desk for resolution of a dispute between FCO and the Treasury. Since then nothing had happened. The more extreme HMOCS members felt they were being strung along. knew that the Hong Kong Government had put their case robustly to London but he was not unable to tell his members what the problem was. The current moderate committee was in danger of being ousted and he had been pressed to agree to hold an Extraordinary Annual General Meeting before end-June. He had managed to slip this to 30 June (after the Governor's next expected visit to the UK) but could not hold out much longer.
2. Mr Goodlad said he could not add much. He shared HMOCS' feelings of frustration and appreciated their patience so far. However, the technical issues involved were extremely complex and the public expenditure climate could not be worse. The sums involved were not insubstantial. There had been progress since the Minister's last meeting with HMOCS in that it was now known that the final package would include a revised compensation proposal and provision for a sterling pension safeguard. HMG were examining the SPOS mechanism. He understood that the Governor would also allow HMOCS officers to retire early on full pension. The FCO had pushed the issue extremely hard, but he could not say when the next round of consultations would take place. He was aware that Mr Cartland had written to the Civil Service Branch on 20 April about this issue and he would like to hand over a reply (attached).
3. Mr Cartland agreed that the Minister's letter took the issue forward a little in some areas. It was helpful to have a piece of paper to show his members. He understood the Governor would visit London in mid-June. Mr Goodlad said that this was not yet certain but that by then there should be definite dates set for his next visit. Mr Cartland said he would try to discourage splinter groups. There had been a
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