TNAG-2923-FCO40-4198-Visits-and-proposed-visits-by-Alastair-Goodlad--Minister-of--1993 — Page 49

CONFIDENTIAL

MR GOODLAD'S VISIT TO HONG KONG: 11-12 OCTOBER 1993

BRIEF NO 7

CHECKLIST FOR MEETING WITH HMOCS ASSOCIATION

Points to Make

Glad to be able to meet you again.

When we last met on 31 May I handed over a letter setting out the position on HMOCS. I believe you circulated this to your membership and I hope it reassured them that HMG is working towards solutions to this issue, and is keen to get this matter settled satisfactorily.

- In my reply to your letter of 21 September, I advised you that

Ministers currently have before them advice from officials on a

number of options for a compensation scheme. Work continues, however, on this element as well as on options for a sterling

pension safeguard. It is our intention to consult the

Association on both schemes at the same time. We are also still

examining the question of the SPOS mechanism, but I cannot give any assurance that this mechanism will be changed.

Would like to repeat my assurance that HMG fully recognises the importance of this matter for the HMOCS and that we are working hard to bring forward proposals. But I should point

out, as I have before, that we are having to consider these matters against the background of an extremely harsh public expenditure climate.

Happy to listen to any further points you wish to raise.

gdl.oct.ADM

SLM

CONFIDENTIAL