MAHMOKS
Policy
Sell to ELD(1) for mef.
BSP 21/6.
SECRETARY OF STATE'S MEETING WITH THE CHANCELLOR: WEDNESDAY
23 JUNE
170
HONG KONG: HER MAJESTY'S OVERSEAS CIVIL SERVICE (HMOCS)
1. There are 700 HMOCS officers in Hong Kong who, in line with traditional practice, will be entitled to benefits
(compensation and pension protection) on the ending of British
sovereignty. We have discussed the level of these benefits
exhaustively with the Chief Secretary but have so far been
unable to reach agreement. The FCO have proposed and the
Governor strongly supports arrangements which are broadly in line with, those in previous cases; the Chief Secretary has argued for a significantly less generous package to take full
account of differentials in salary and pension benefits between HMOCS officers and their UK counterparts. The
Governor regards this as a matter of honour and has written
twice to the Prime Minister asking for a political decision. He has said that he would not publicly support a package less
generous than the FCO proposal.
We are considering with the Governor whether to propose that this matter included on the agenda for OPD (K) on 1 July.
2.
nig.tap.BRIEF
NH/SLM
HKA 233/1
22 1993
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