SECRET HKK 10/9
SECRET
92
11 December,1970.
At the end of our discussions on 27 November about the Hong Kong defence contribution it was left that we should prepare the draft of a paper for presentation to the Defence and Oversea
We Policy Committee by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary. have now prepared such a draft of which I attach a copy, upon which we would welcome your comments and for which I hope we may have your support.
You will see that paragraph 6 of the draft refers to Armezes A and B. Annex B is missing since we have no up-to-date figures for capital works costs: those given in the enclosure to Davis's letter to Carter No. F.1(Air)4420 of 17 March, related to a garrison of 73 major units and are out of date. We shoula accordingly be grateful if you could supply the missing Annex B.
The Governor is most anxious that we should let him know D.O.P.C's decision in this matter as soon as possible to give him an opportunity of completing his local negotiations in time for the necessary provision covering the Colony's defence contribution to be included in its estimates for 1971/72. We are accordingly aiming at getting the paper to the D.O.P.C. as soon as possible with a view to it being taken by Ministers on 21 or 22 December (th latest date available before the Prime Minister and our Secretary of State leave on 6 January for the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference in Singapore). This means that we must get the paper to our Secretary of State by Wednesday next, and I shall be most grateful therefore if you will do your best to let me have your reply to this letter by Tuesday, 15 December.
I am sending copies also, together with enclosure, to Stretton and Gedling.
E.H. Gwynn, Esq., C.B.,
Ministry of Defence,
Main Building,
Whitehall, S.V.1.
(L. Monson)
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