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EXPENDITURE COMMITTEE
Defence and External Affairs Sub-Committee
V. H. S. Benham Esq., Room 9109, F1(N), Ministry of Defence, Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1
14th May 1975
JO MAY 1975.
26/€
Dea Vicha,
I have had further discussions with the Chairman of the Sub-Committee about the Sub-Committee's visit to Hong Kong.
He endorses the plans we have agreed that the Sub- Committee should travel direct to Hong Kong on 17th November, arriving 18th November and staying four days. Thereafter we must fit in with what is possible in relation to other ports of call.
If it is not possible to visit Masirah and Diego Garcia (and the Sub-Committee yesterday again expressed a wish to go to both places), the Chairman is now of the view that Tehran would be an interesting place to visit. It was also considered that Gan, Masirah and Diego Garcia might fit in conveniently with a visit to Tehran. If these plans prove impossible, the Sub-Committee could revisit Cyprus from Tehran taking the opportunity to reconsider the functions of the two Sovereign bases there. Other suggestions made in course of discussion have been India (to consider arms sales and diplomatic representation) or Nepal.
I have deliberately left these suggestions rather vague to ensure that you have the maximum room for manoeuvre ́in suggesting to the Sub-Committee the outline of the second part of their programme for the November visit.
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