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5. When the Defence Secretary visited Hong Kong in June 1969,
e Governor suggested to him that as a first step in preparing
for the negotiations over the post-1971 defence contribution agreement, officials of the Hong Kong Government should work out a figure for Hong Kong's contribution, both in relation to the size of the garrison and to what would be politically
acceptable in Hong Kong. This would then be put to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and if the latter (after consultation with the other Departments concerned) considered the figure to
be a reasonable one, the Governor could put it to his Executive Council at the appropriate time. If the latter agreed the figure, it could then be put forward as an offer by the Hong
Kong Government, thus avoiding any appearance of its being a demand by Her Majesty's Government. Mr. Healey agreed that such an approach seemed sensible. Accordingly we addressed
the Governor in the terms of the attached letter:
awaited.
a reply is
Hong Kong Department 12 November, 1969
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