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clarification of certain points relating to costs and facilities he
would be prepared to accept the suggested post-1971 training flight
visits as very much a second best alternative to the stationing of a
fighter unit in the Colony. We have sought clarification from the
Ministry of Defence of the points raised by the Governor and now
await their reply.
Argument
11.
Although the Governor's final decision is dependent on his
receiving satisfactory clarification of the points that he has raised,
it seems unlikely that those points are of sufficient substance to
cause him to change his mind again. It seems probable, therefore,
that the Governor will, faute de mieux, confirm his decision to accept
the alternative of training detachment visits as providing the minimum
fighter cover which the Colony will require in the post-1971 era.
(N.B. One of the matters on which the Governor is seeking clarifica-
tion is the question of providing fighter cover during the period
from March 1970 (after which fighter cover from Singapore will no
longer be available) and the beginning of the post-1971 arrangements.
But although it will be important to ensure that satisfactory
arrangements are made by the Ministry of Defence to cover the period
in question, this is basically a separate issue and its outcome is
unlikely to affect the problem in its long term context).
12. This department's view is that, if the Governor feels able to
say (however reluctantly) that he is satisfied that air cover can be
provided at an acceptable level by training flight visits, then that
conclusion should be accepted. On the one hand we see no prospect
whatsoever of obtaining additional UK funds, from the defence budget
or other sources, for a permanent fighter presence nor any scope for
/ compensating cuts
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