and abandoning our responsibility for the Colony and locally this
would be contrasted with the commitment to Hong Kong reaffirmed in
Parliament on 27th March. If such an impression gained ground the
ability of the police and the garrison to deter a challenge to
law and order would be undermined, and disruptive elements in the
Colony would be encouraged.
12.
The Governor is however prepared to press the Hong Kong Government
to make a substantial increase in their contribution and believes that
he has a reasonable chance of obtaining agreement to a figure of
£17 million a year, though he expects a struggle. This would double
the present Hong Kong contribution. It would fall somewhat short of
50 per cent of the total cost if the reductions suggested by the
Governor were accepted, and he recognises that presentationally
there would be advantage if it could be said that the costs were being
divided equally between ourselves and Hong Kong, as compared with a
present Hong Kong contribution amounting to only about 20 per cent
of the total.
Comment
13. We consider that the Governor has made out a strong case against
seeking total repayment from Hong Kong, and that his view of the