Future Action
7.
It has been agreed that as the next step a team of officials led by the Ministry of Defence, including Mr Stuart from the Hong Kong and Indian Ocean Department, should visit Hong Kong in early January to explain in detail the cost and composition of the proposed garrison and to explore all means of bridging the gap between what Hong Kong could afford and what the proposed garrison would cost. Talks have been arranged for 8-10 January but they will be exploratory in nature and the team will not be empowered to settle matters; formal consultations on a Government to Government basis will be necessary in due course. The Governor and the Commander British Forces will be able to brief the Minister on the outcome of these talks on his arrival in Hong Kong.
Cost of the Garrison
8.
The most recent Ministry of Defence estimates for the cost of the garrison are attached at Annex.
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.
6 January 1975
SECRET
}
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