Defence costs
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the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council, said it was a "delicate matter." and declined to comment.
Mr A. de O. Sales, Senior Appointed Urban Councillor, considered the principle of contributing for the costs of the garrison in Hongkong to be wrong.
"As a Sovereign power, Britain has an obligation to protect Hongkong at Britain's own expense, not Hongkong's," he said.
"Consequently Hongkong should not be asked to pay at all."
"At the same time,” Mr Sales continued, "money is badly needed here for the improvement of social services, for the betterment of the lot of our own people.
"Therefore, if Hongkong is to make any contribution it will be a great sacrifice, and people will be deprived of better housing, schooling, medical and other assistance programmes."
Mr Hilton Cheong Leen, Urban Councillor. said if the figure was accurate, it was a tremendous increase on what Hongkong had been paying.
"It would appear to be a very heavy burden for Hongkong people to bear," he said.
"Perhaps Government should make a statement to clarify the position and to dispel any anxiety which has arisen from the report on the amount of the contribution. which is more than double what we have been paying."
**There are increased demands for better social services in Hongkong education, housing, social welfare, mass transit systems," he said, "Any large increase in Hongkong's contribution will definitely be detrimental to our people."
Mrs Joyce Symons, Urban Councillor, said: "At first glance, I am of the opinion that Hongkong is being asked to pay too much, considering the extra money we should spend on social services.
"I very much hope a lower compromise figure will be reached."
It is reasonable to assume that costs have gone up for the United Kingdom Government, she noted, but she hoped negotiations to reduce the figure”) would continue.
Mrs Elsie Elliott, Urban Councillor. asked why Hongkong should contribute to the defence costs.
"The people of Hongkong are being robbed," she said.
If the British wanted the presence of the soldiers, she said, the big business monopoly houses should pay for it.
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The annual amount of £5 million Hongkong had paid for the past four years was already too much, she said.
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