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PART II. ARCUMENTS AGAINST AN INCREASE
5.
The British Government's contention that colonial governments are entirely responsible for all aspects of their own internal security has never been accepted by the Unofficials, Neither has Hong Kong's contribution in the past in fact been based upon such premises. Hong Kong's other commitments have always been taken into account as indeed is the ability to pay of any colonial territory. The years immediately ahead require vast expenditure on the expansion of housing. education and other social services and enormous sums not yet calculable on airport development, public transport, water and other major public works. The defence contribution cannot be considered in isolation,
6. The Unofficials consider that, as the mother country, Britain
has an obligation to defend a colonial territory not only against external aggression but also against internal subversion, insurrection and civil war. In the particular circumstances of Hong Kong internal and external defence are complementary and both require the presence of
British troops.
7.
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elsewhere HMG spends large sums in defence and sid contril and does not expect to be reimbursed. The sums spent by HMG on the maintenance of troops in Hong Kong form a contributien both to Britain's imperial defence system and to internal security in Hong Kong. The Colony has also to pay as part of its own share towardo internal security the entire cost of maintaining a para-military police force.
8.
In 1966 the Unofficial Members were given to understand by the re sponsible UK Ministers that every endeavour would be made, in consideration of an increased defence contribution, to assist the Colony financially in some other way. The suggestion was made that such help might come in connection with technical education and the extension of Kai Tak Airport. Minor sums have recently been promised in the form of equipment før technical institutes but no assistance was given in financing the airport extension. Hong Kong is unique as a dependent territory in receiving little financial aid from UK.
9.
On the contrary Hong Kong contributes substantially to sterling
balances held in London and to British commercial and trading interests generally. The value to Britain of the Hong Kong airport should in particular be allowed for, since Britain obtains substantial benefits from the bilateral agreements in which HMG barters landing rights at Hong Kong for foreign aircraft for landing rights by British aircraft in foreign countries. Without Hong Kong as a bargaining counter HMG
/ could....
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