b)
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vacant possession of Victoria
Barracks that would coincide with
or be very closely related to the
increase to 75%.
4.
It was the view of the HK Government that with the
necessary drive and goodwill it was probable that vacant possession
of these two lots could be given within the years proposed for the
two increases, that is to say 77/78 and 78/79.
5.
The feasibility of this time schedule could only be
considered in the light of the report of a qualified working party
and H.E. therefore proposed that one be convened immediately.
6.
H.E. said that the HK Government could only obtain agreement
for the two stages of this very substantial increase if they were
closely related to the recovery of these tangible capital assets.
It followed that should vacant possession not be forthcoming through
no fault of the HK Government within the time scale eventually
agreed, there should be a corresponding postponement in the increase
of HK's contribution.
7.
H.E. then stressed the presentational point that although
the Minister of State's visit was the culmination of a year of
negotiations, the impression had been given to the public that the
negotiations started with his arrival, and there was little that
could be done to disabuse them. If it were to be announced or
implied that agreement in principle had been reached during this
week the public would strongly criticise the Government for having
given way too soon. It was therefore extremely important that the
impression should be given to the public that while the talks had
been useful and had made progress, no agreement had yet been reached.
H.E. suggested it should be announced that the discussions would be
continued during his visit to London in the first week of December.
By that time it would have been possible to prepare the HK public,
and to announce an agreement, which by that time may be in a final
form that could prove acceptable.
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