(3)(b) Q.
(4)
(5)
A.
GRAND
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Q.
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(6)(a) Q.
A.
What has been the reaction of the Hong Kong Government to the suggestion that they should pay a larger share of the cost of the forces there?
They naturally wish to consider our proposals in detail and as I have said consultations are continuing. These are confidential and I do not think it would be helpful to their progress to talk about the views of either HMG or the Hong Kong Government at this stage.
Why does the White Paper give a date for with- drawal from Gan and not Mauritius?
The Secretary of State is visiting Mauritius in April
at the invitation of Sir Seewoosagur Rangoolam and the date for withdrawal will be covered in the talks. [If pressed] We do not expect that there will be any change to our original proposal.
You are keeping the FPDA Consultative Agreement but since you are cutting the RAF Transport Force and withdrawing from Gan could you ever contemplate a military reaction in this area?
We shall still be able to go to the assistance of Singapore and Malaysia, but not as swiftly as at present. [If pressed on how we would get there]. By the most economical means available at the timė. I cannot say what that would be.
Since the Sultan is paying for the Gurkha battalion in Brunei what is the point of withdrawing it?
The Defence Review was not conducted simply as a financial exercise to achieve specific savings and the Brunei proposal has to be set against HMG's overall reassessment of our commitment and capabilities against clear strategic priorities.
(6)(b) • Do you have a reaction to this proposal from the
A.
Sultan?
[The Sultan came to London for talks with
Lord Goronwy Roberts at the end of February about our proposal. Discussions are continuing and
it would be inappropriate to give details at this stage]. To be updated as necessary.
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