GRS
70
PRIORITY
CYPHER/CAT A
SECRET
298
FM HONG KONG 070215Z
SECRET
7 OCT 1975
MRK:10)1
TO PRIORITY F C O TELEGRAM NO 994 OF 7 OCTOBER.
YOUR TELEGRAM NO 756.
DEFENCE COSTS: NAVY.
LAST
REF.
293)
NEA.
REF.
WE SEE NO OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSALS IN YOUR PARA 1 PROVIDED THAT, IF IT IS DECIDED TO KEEP THE FIVE PATROL CRAFT, ANY EXTRA COSTS INVOLVED IN THE INTERIM ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING 1
FRIGATE PLUS 3 PATROL CRAFT WOULD NOT BE A CHARGE TO HONG KONG,
2. THE POSSIBILITY OF A REFIT IN HONG KONG COULD ITSELF BE ONE OF THE FACTORS IN DECIDING IN FAVOUR OF RETAINING THE FRIGATE INSTEAD OF THE PATROL CRAFT, AND I HOPE THE EXAMINATION REFERRED TO IN YOUR PARA 3 WILL BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE MINISTER'S VISIT. AS, HOWEVER, A REFIT IN HONG KONG SEEMS LIKELY TO BE BOTH CHEAPER AND QUICKER THERE WILL BE STRONG PRESSURE FOR REFIT HERE IF DECISION
IS IN FAVOUR OF RETENTION OF FRIGATE.
MACLEHOSE
FILES HKIOD (3)
DEFENCE SWPD
PS
PS/LORD GORONNY-ROBERTS
SIRD WATSON
MR THOMSON
MR MALE
SECRET
COPIES
MR WARD
TO
MR HANSFORD
DS 6 MO
TREASURY
MR BRYARS CABINET OFFICE MR AGGLETON PSA DOE
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