D/DS11/6/7
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D of DP(C)
Head of DS 6
FCO (Head of HKIOD)
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HONG KONG
The Secretary of State has received from Mr Tam Dalyell a copy of a pamphlet written for NATSOPA by Mr Frank Allaun on how we waste money on defence. Mr Dalyell, while dissociating himself from some of the sentiments in the pamphlet, has drawn attention to the paragraph of which I enclose a copy, saying "what is your reply to him-on Hong Kong? The rationale for our military presence has never been convincingly stated to my knowledge by our Labour
to the Government, and certainly not by Goronwy Roberts ... PLP Foreign Affairs Group
•
It covers
The main
2. I have been asked to draft a reply and should be grate- ful for your comments on the attached draft. much the same ground as a draft PQ on the same subject circulated by Mr Hawtin on 31st December. difficulty in both cases is not how to justify it, but how muth one can say about the justification. particularly welcome your advice on this.
I should
in any case I would
3. If you wish to combine your comments with those on Mr Hawtin's PQ, by all means do so; like them by 7th January.
2 January 1975
HJ Blanks
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H J BLANKS
Head of DS 11
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