TNAG-2689-FCO40-3891-Hong-Kong-Her-Majesty-s-Overseas-Civil-Service-(HMOCS)-poli-1993 — Page 110

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RECORD OF MEETING BETWEEN MR GOODLAD AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION OF MEMBERS OF HMOCS: HONG KŌNG: 11 OCOTBER

1993

Those present:

Mr Michael Cartland, Chairman

Mr Wooey

Mr Goodlad

Mr Morris

Mr Richardson

Mr Weaver

Mr Greenwood

Mr Osborn, BTC PS/Mr Goodlad

1. Mr Goodlad referred to his previous correspondence with Mr Cartland. Work continued on options for a compensation scheme and a sterling pension safeguard. HMG was also still examining the SPOS mechanism - - though he could give no guarantees that this would be changed. The Association would presumably want these issues handled similtaneously. Ministers were pressing on towards solutions as hard as was possible. But an early agreement was not necessarily in the Association's best interests.

2. Mr Cartland said there was rising concern on this and over related developments. The localisation debate had been especially unpleasant. The Association accepted localisation as an inevitable part of the transition and only wanted to seek fair treatment for members on the same lines as elsewhere. It had previously been the case in ex-colonies that once a local Chief Secretary was in place all ex-patriate elements had been withdrawn to Government House. This was not a criticisim of Mrs Chan. But it was surprising that the Hong Kong HMOCS problem had not yet been resolved; and also that ex-patriate elements had been left in the local organisation. Localisation from the top down was also unusual. But he was not suggesting creation of an ex-patriate Deputy Governor - a device which had been used elsewhere. It would help the Association to restrain members if a date for resolution of the financial package could be identified - perhaps the Governor's visit to the UK in November? Mr Goodlad pointed out that the PES round would be especially bloodthirsty this year. It would be artificial to set November as a deadline. He saw no reason why the appointment of a new Chief Secretary should impact on HMOCS; this was a matter for the Hong Kong Government.

3. Mr Cartland said that HMOCS financial arrangements in ex-colonies had always been part of a package handed over to the new administration. The Joint Declaration had provided an opportunity to pass on the cost of a scheme. Now there was no way to squeeze money out of Legco, who were hostile to HMOCS. He did not want to see too many people leaving the civil service together: but as time went on, flexibility to phase them out diminished. Mr Richardson believed many police were tired of waiting. The window during which they might leave was narrowing. It was important for the force to remain intact if the transition was to be peaceful. But police could not commit themselves and their families to a total unknown. He confirmed that this was regardless of any financial arrangements agreed.