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defined responsibilities as members of the Executive Council but still in an advisory capacity to the Governor, who would retain full executive powers over the whole range of Government. Whether such a situation could persist indefinitely without political friction may be open to question: but it might be worth taking the risk to secure the advantages of overtly placing responsibility in local hands.
12.
I have minuted separately on the question of the death penalty. In the field of administration of justice, I believe from my discussions in Hong Kong that the Governor will bring with him a proposed package of improvements, including particularly an extension of the legal aid system, which should satisfy the critics. On defence, which the Governor is to discuss with FCO and MOD officials, he will be advancing the view that, while some economy might be made, no substantial reduction of the garrison could be effected without unacceptable internal security risks and a serious impact on confidence. Perhaps significantly, this was the first topic that the members of Executive and Legislative Councils raised at their meeting with me.
They took the line that HMG must honour its commitment to protect Hong Kong. If they did so, the question of Hong Kong's defence contribution was a matter that could be discussed in the light of Britain's economic difficulties. But what would not be tolerable, in terms both of political relations and confidence, would be for Britain to say "We are pulling out, and you can only have the troops if you pay for them". I held the line for the time being by reference to the assurances given by Mr Ennals in Parliament: but we must keep this reaction very much in the mind when the time comes to consult with the Hong Kong Government on the defence review.
14 June 1974
Dman Walia
(Duncan Watson)
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