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2.
aspects of the problem we must leave it to you
to make such use as you think fit of the material
Following are our views on
points in paragraph 3 of your tel. No. 225:
available to you.
(A) This is true, but the argument still stands
svill
since £683 million
llion represents a very large burden
Mr A F THORPE,
FILAIR) 2 MÓD,
Mr RJ SMITH, DOE
LAMBETH BRIDGE HOUSE,C
MR P D NAIRNE, MOD MR R GEDLING,
TREASURY
MR E STRETTON, DOE LAMBETH BRIDGE
HOUSE
of overseas official debt and (cf. para 31 my No 235) excludes MR EH GWYNN, MOD long-term deft.
(B)(i) If you do not now wish to use argument
about growth in GNP we accept your advice.
In any event difficulty in providing reliable
figures for Hong Kong would tend to make
discussion on this point inconclusive.
(ii) If reference is made to Singapore you could
say that while the territory benefited from
the presence of the Commander in Chief, Far East,
and a major nexus of British defence facilities,
it has for many years maintained at its own
expense its own regular armed forces.
(iii) We agree that if reference to the Hong
Kong budget surplus will only lead to further
argument of the kind you mention the point should
be dropped.
(iv) Last sentence. This form of comparison
was based on statement included in your December
1966 broadcast.
(0)
Second sentence referred to was intended
to cover all aspects of financial and commercial
relations between Hong Kong and the UK. As to
civil aviation, we accept your advice.
We realise that there are strongly held
opinions on this subject.
If Unofficial Members
react as you expect we suggest you should do
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