ABILITY TO WITHSTAND
DETERMINED ATTACK
The security of Hong Kong could be threatened by incidents falling short of the unlikely event of Q full-scale attack which we recognise could not be withstood by the
garrison. But this presence of the garrison, particularly along the border, acts as a deterent to border violations, and helps to prevent the escalation of minor
incidents.
REINFORCEMENT
POST-DEFENCE REVIEW
THE END OF THE LEASE
We shall still be able to reinforce the garrison if the need arises, but this is an operational matter on which I cannot go into details.
S
The New Territories leafe does not expire until 1997. It is not possible to predict what the circumstances will be so far in the future.
}
RELATIONS WITH CHINA
SIZE OF FUTURE GARRISON
AND FUTURE HONG KONG
CONTRIBUTION
WHEN WILL DECISIONS
BE ANNOUNCED
That is a matter for my Rt. Hon Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth
Secretary.
These matters are the subject of consultations with the Hong Kong Govt. and I cannot comment on them until consultations have been
completed. As the House will be aware we have said that we are seeking a greater contribution from Hong Kong in the successor to the present cost-sharing agreement.
There will of course be an
announcement when consultations
are complete but it is too early to say when this might be.