SECRET
TOP
CYPHER/CAT'A'
ROUTINE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 447
28
TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
DATED 3 JUNE 1969
SECRET
FOR CARTER FROM MORETON.
FIGHTER AIRCRAFT.
Copied 6 HI.1 10/1
вык
LORD SHEPHERD HAS DISCUSSED WITH GOVERNOR AND C.B.F. AND ASKS THAT
NO ADVERSE DECISION BE TAKEN BEFORE DEFENCE SECRETARY'S VISIT LATER
THIS MONTH.
2. SOLUTION ADVOCATED BY LORD SHEPHERD WHICH WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO
GOVERNOR IS :-
(A) NO CHARGE TO BE RAISED FOR CAPITAL COST OF AIRCRAFT.
(B) RECURRENT COSTS FOR FIRST YEAR 1970/71 TO BE BORNE ELSEWHERE IN FIRST INSTANCE BUT TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN ADDITION TO SUB- SEQUENT RECURRENT COSTS WHEN NEW DEFENCE CONTRIBUTION EFFECTIVE FROM
APRIL 1971 IS NEGOTIATED.
3. IT IS QUITE CLEAR THAT RATHER THAN SEEK ADDITIONAL PROVISIOM
BEFORE APRIL 19711 HONG KONG WOULD IF NECESSWRY FOREGO AIRCRAFT.
4. GOVERNOR UNRESERVEDLY SUPPORTS CASE FOR ADDITIONAL WHIRLWIND
HELICOPTERS TO GIVE COMPLETE PLATOON LIFT. NEED HAS BEEN UNDERLINED
RECENTLY BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE HERE ARE OUT OF SERVICE. UNLESS · FAVOURABLE DECISION HAS BEEN REACHED FIRST, IT IS REQUESTED THAT THIS TOO SHOULD BE DISCUSSED DURING DEFENCE SECRETARY'S VISIT
5. PLEASE BRIEF COOPER (M.O.D.) ACCORDINGLY.
SIR D TRENCH
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
LAST
HONG KONG DEPT.
FAR EASTERN DEPT.
D.T. & S.D.
DEFENCE POLICY DEPT.
RIF
F.P. & A.D.
XXXXX
SECRET
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY Nɔ.51 -3 JUN 1969
HK! 10/9