10 Whirlwind
Helicopters
4. The x*x****
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RAF
10 whirlwind Helicopters
defence contribution has
always been a sensitive issue in our
relations with Hong Kong since the Colony
has been the only one to have made regular
and specific payments. The negotiation of
the present contribution was carried through
in 1966 by the then Secretary of State for
the Colonies with great difficulty and
aroused
A
the agreement when announced erese unanimous
opposition in Hong Kong.
5.
In an attempt to avoid a reptition of
the events of 1966, the Governor suggested
to us last year that as a first step in
preparing for the negotiations over the post
1971 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 figure would then be put to
the FCO 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, txxE
thus avoiding any appearance of its being a
demand by HMG. It was agreed with the
Ministry of Defence and the Treasury that such an approach seemed sensible and this is, in
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