0003230 G.F. 323
CONFIDENTIAL
Present:
Visit to Hong Kong of the Minister of State Commonwealth Office
Discussion of Defence Costs, Monday, 16th October, 1967
H.B. the Governor
Commander British Forces
Minister of State
Asst. Under Secretary of State
+
1.
Deputy Command Secretary
Acting Colonial Secretary
Financial Secretary
Deputy Colonial Secretary (Special Duties)
Private Secretary
20
Defence Secretary
PACS(SD)
Second Border Fonce
The Minister said that the Commonwealth Office had taken this up with the Treasury on the basis that H.M.G. should pay for the wire and its transport and HK for the labour.
The Deputy Command Secretary thought it unlikely that any chargo would be raised for the soldiers' labour.
2*
General Defence Costs
The Governor said that the HK Government's view was that charges should not be raised without a very strong case.
3m
12.
The Deputy Command Secretary said that the question of the cost of reinforcements was being considered in MOD; that no decision to raise charges had yet been taken; that MOD might raise the matter with the Commonwealth Office.
It would be wrong for him to hesitate ordering what troops were necessary for operational reasons because of uncertainty over who was goint to meet the cost. The finister said that Car should not hesitate to ask for reinforcements because of any concern over who would pay.
C.D.F. said this could cause him some uncertainty.
Government House,
Hong Kong.
October, 1967.
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CONFIDENTIAL
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