NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
W(B)L 51-7406
>
+
SECRET
problem it is still necessary for us at this end
to keep at the back of our minds the proposition
that the cost of internal security is a Colonial
responsibility. Difficult though we know it is
to measure the forces and costs involved, this
is bound to be one consideration against which
any proposals which you may make would be
considered. But clearly a concept of the problem
which does not distinguish between internal
security and other forces leads to the conclusion
that it is the costs of the whole garrison to
which the Colony's contribution should be
related.
6.
Again, we are bound to take into account the
doctrine that has been applied since the last
century that a Colony contributes to its own
defence according to its capacity to pay. I
think that you yourself appreciate the force of
this argument although we realise that it is not
one which would command much sympathy from your
unofficial advisers. However, having regard to
Hong Kong's buoyant economic position and to the
considerable benefit to the local economy
generated by the local expenditure of the
Service departments, of their uniformed and
civilian personnel and dependants, it is an
argument which cannot be ignored.
7.
While the main question on which you will
now be taking a preliminary view is of course
the level of the cash contribution, there are
important subsidiary questions on which it would
be useful to have your opinion at the same time.
We should be interested to have your views on
the question of the period for which the new
agreement should operate and on provisions it
might include either for stability of the
/ contribution
...
SECRET