SECRET
as difficult a task now in persuading his
unofficial advisers to accept the figure of
£8 million as the Hong Kong contribution as When negotiating the present contribution of £ 5 million did the Secretary of State/in 1966. e/in 1966.
I need
hardly point out that if those advisers were
to resign from the Government we could well
be faced with a very serious political and
11A
internal security situation in the Colony which would benefit
neither Hong Kong nor HMG. Whatever our views
may be as to the adequacy or otherwise of a
contribution by Hong Kong of £8 million, there
is no doubt whatever that in Hong Kong eyes such
1
particularly if
a contribution would be avery realistic one indeed, the garrison is to remain at its present strength of 6212 Inajor
reacts, pocket strength 5. For these reasons are we must rely very
alme
heavily on the Governor's own assessment of what
he can persuade his advisers to accept. He
was very largely instrumental in achieving a
settlement of the current contribution and we
can safely rely on him to do his best for us again.
6. Accordingly, we should prefer to vary the
approach to him as set out in your draft letter
In comuenience
you can accept.
If
and I enclose a revised graft which I hope that
Λ
(or something approaching the draft/ is not acceptably suggest ur should have on to further meeting 7.
I am sending copies of this letter and its
enclosure to Gedling and Stretton and I trusty
that they/will regard our proposed line of
approach as acceptable.
Isle sve
c)
Comy
based
units.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
on your
original dress And taking
Eating wits
around the Comment
2
Goldsmith Gedding)
And