Cibun
6
Neeting
Vizit Defence Look
GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG:
1.
SECRET
bent;
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09.45
CALL ON SECRETARY OF STATE
Sir Murray MacLehose will be calling on the Secretary of State at 9.45 a.m. tomorrow. The Governor last called on the Secretary of State on 11 April: I attach a copy of the record of that meeting. The following topics might be covered tomorrow.
Visit to Hong Kong and Peking
2.
The Secretary of State might say that he is looking forward to his visit to Hong Kong and to seeing the progress that is being made, despite the recession, to implement the Governor's far-sighted programme for improving social conditions in the Colony. He might add that he will listen with interest to anything the Chinese might say to him about Hong Kong. Anglo/Chinese relations over Hong Kong are very satisfactory at present. This reflects well on the Hong Kong Government's relations with the unofficial representatives of China (e.g. in the New China News Agency and the Bank of China).
Defence Costs Agreement
3.
We are in sight of a final agreement on defence costs which
HAKKIol will provide for a smaller garrison; increasing Hong Kong
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contributions rising from 50% to 75% over the first three years; and the release by the Services of prestige land in the central areas of Hong Kong and Kowloon. Officials from both sides are meeting this week and the Governor is calling on the Minister of State for Defence on Friday 5 December when it is hoped to conclude matters. The only major outstanding matter is the duration of the agreement, on which please see my minute of today's date. The Secretary of State for Defence's formula will probably be welcomed by the Hong Kong Government.
4.
The Governor will probably mention to the Secretary of State that the imposition of any restrictions on Hong Kong's textile imparts into this country is bound to increase the problem of selling the defence agreement to Hong Kong opinion. Lord Goronwy-oberts has minuted to the Secretary of State on this subject. I recommend that the Secretary of State should say that he will oppose such import controls but cannot of course commit his colleagues at this stage.
/Legislative Council
S.CRET