SECRET
ECIFIC RULES OR FOR MILAE SEMICOLON BUT THE AMOUNT FUST HAVE DUE
REGARD TO HONG KONG'S OTHER FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS INCLUDING
SE REFERRED TO IN PARA. 5 ABOVE. THERE CAN BE NO QUESTION OF
THE DEFENCE CONTRIBUTION TAKING AUTOMATIC PRIORITY OVER SUCH
OTHER COMMIT: ENTS.
15.
ANY CONTRIBUTION VOLUNTARILY OFFERED BY HONG KONG
HOULD BE SUBJECT TO REDUCTION IF THERE SHOULD BE A SERIOUSLY
ADVERSE CHANGE IN THE COLONY'S ECONOMIC SITUATION
16. IN VIEW OF THE ABOVE THE UNOFFICIALS WOULD BE FAILING
IN THEIR DUTY IN THE EYES OF THE PUBLIC IF THEY WERE
VOLUNTARILY TO ACCEDE TO TOO LARGE A CONTRIBUTION. PUBLIC REACTION
WOULD BE SO UNFAVOURABLE AS TO RENDER THE UNOFFICIALS OF LITTLE
VALUE TO GOVERNMENT IN HELPING TO PERSUADE THE PUBLIC ON
OTHER ISSUES IN THE FUTURE.
17. IT IS REALISED THAT GOVERNMENT IS IN A POSITION TO IMPOSE A
CONTRIBUTION BY USE OF THE OFFICIAL MAJORITY IN THE LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL BUT THE UNOFFICIALS CONSIDER THIS WOULD BE INADVISABLE.
SUCH A COURSE WOULD DAMAGE BRITAIN'S IMAGE IN THIS PART OF THE
WORLD.
16.
THE UNOFFICIALS TRUST THAT THEIR VIEWS SET OUT ABOVE WILL DE
CONVEYED TO HM GOVERNMENT.'
BIDS.
TRENCH
FILES:
HKD
FED
DEFENCE DEPT
PS
PS/PUS
SIR L. MONSON
SIR S. TOMLINSON
MR. WITFORD
MR.
&&&&c
D.A. SCOTT
J
COPIES TO:
+
MR. D.J.J. BRACK, TREASURY MR. A.F. THORPE, F1 (AIR) 2, MOD
MR. R.J. SMITH, DOE, LAMBETH BRIDGE HOUSE MR. P.D. NAIRNE, MOD
MR. R. GEDLING, TREASURY
MR. E. STRETTON, DOE, LAMBETH BRIDGE HOUSE MR. E.H. GWYNN, MOD.
- 5 SECRET
<<