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to be a place of unrestricted immigration, and I do not need to recapitulate them. I share your concern that the regulations should be humanely applied and that any special circumstances should be fully taken into
⚫ consideration in deciding whether to permit entry.
The responsibility for carrying out these arrangements rests with the Government of Hong Kong; but I have been in close touch with the Governor, and I am
confident that they will be fairly and humanely applied. Finally I note your points about the garrison.
As you know, the present agreement on defence costs between the British and Hong Kong Governments will expire next year. Preliminary discussions about an appropriate level of forces and on Hong Kong's contribution when the present agreement ends, have recently been held between the British and Hong Kong Governments at official level. It would be improper for me to add any further comment at the present time, but I hope that we shall be able to proceed to formal consultations with the Hong Kong Government and to agreement within the fairly near future.
One point you raise in your letter, though not in the memorandum, is the question of drug addiction and treatment. My wife has asked me to tell you how much she appreciated her all too short discussion with you.
I was sorry that I did not have more time during my own visit to go into the vital questions of the suppression of the drug traffic and the treatment of its victims. But there will, I hope, be another opportunity, and I already know how much the treatment side of this terrible equation depends on bodies such
as SARDA and on your wise guidance.
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