thcoming should coli aniy not be
aken as any indication of a lack of
interest on the part of HMG in the wellbeing
of the people of Hong Kong.
Such is far
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
from being the case as was shown, it is
suggested, in the assistance rendered by the
Garrison in dealing with the disturbances
of 1967.
The truth is that the calls upon
>
HMG are such that they can only be met on a system of priorities based on dire need.
And unofficial members will undoubtedly
appreciate that on this basis, and despite
the best will in the world on the part of
HMG, Hong Kong (admittedly very largely as a
result of its own efforts) cannot rank high
in the list of priorities for financial
assistance.
demonstrated
This can perhaps be administeret
by the fact that on the basis of an annual
defence contribution of £8.5 million over a
five year period the total amount involved
would be little more than the Colony's
revised estimated budget surplus for 1970/71.
Ministers are in entire sympathy with
7.
the obvious desire of unofficial members
faithfully to discharge their duties to the
general public of Hong Kong; they would only
point out that they are faced with a
similar difficulty in this country and must
if necessary be prepared to justify, in
Parliament and elsewhere, that no greater
contribution can reasonably be expected
from Hong Kong having regard to the financial
and economic situation both in the Hong Kong
and in the United Kingdom.
They have
concluded that the figure of £8.5 million
to the minimum that could he br Juukirień,
4
publicity.