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SECRET
Mh Gammara. дат
Er. 13/4
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Mr Wilford
Sir L Monson
HONG KONG DEFENCE CONTRIBUTION
1. We have consulted Financial Policy and Aid Department and
Aviation and Telecommunications Department about the reply to
Hong Kong telegrams nos. 225 and 226. The attached draft,
subject to a few later amendments, was agreed at a meeting we
had with the Treasury and the MOD yesterday (it was based in
part on views sent to us earlier by those 2 departments).
Our telegrams nos. 235 and 236 are attached for reference.
There is no need, it is suggested, to consult Ministers about
the attached draft. We think the telegram should go off today
in case the Unofficial Members raise the matter after the
meeting of the Executive Council on Tuesday 13 April.
2. Much more could be said on most of the points raised by
the Governor (for instance, the reasons why HMG budgeted for a
surplus in recent years compared with the reasons for the recent surpluses. in Hong Kong) but it was felt that nothing would be
gained by doing this. We want to avoid being drawn into an argument with the Governor (or Sir J Cowperthwaite).
Even with
the support of the Governor it is clearly going to be most
difficult to reach agreement with the Unofficial Members.
8 April 1971
think
SECRET
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E O Laird
Hong Kong Department
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Kim Wilfa
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