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to examine the proposal in detail but he felt there were distinct
security advantages in retaining Kai Tak both from the point of view of security of the airport itself and as the reception area for reinforcements. He thought there would be greater financial advantage to the Hong Kong Government in the long term in the proposals for Victoria Barracks and HMS Tamar than in taking over Kai Tak.
11. The Governor said that it was clear that detailed discussions
on these lines could not be taken further at present. The Minister said that he was not clear how far any of the proposals could sugar the pill. He had hoped that it would be possible to announce some land releases that could take place during the agreement or shortly after it. The Hong Kong Government would have to be responsible for any reprovisioning involved, outside the Defence Agreement, but land releases would presumably be welcome to Hong Kong and he hoped that the UK side would be given due credit in the negotiations for their willingness to
move on this.
12. The Governor said that a planning exercise would be required in respect of the release of land. It might be possible to reach a view fairly quickly on Kai Tak, but Stonecutters Island was
a more difficult question that depended on the reprovisioning of the explosives depot and it was very doubtful if this could be settled quickly. Something could be made of the Victoria Barracks/Tamar proposal but it would be devoid of impact in the present agreement because it was too much of a long term
project.
13. The Governor and the Minister of State agreed to meet for a personnel discussion at 2.30 pm.
سرى
4 November 1975
(C T Sandars) PS/Minister of State
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