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UNDER FOI
EXEMPTION No
2.7.
HKK 062/1
RECEN
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1078
13. 51
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INDEX
PA
CONFIDENTIAL
24
PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts
co:
Mr Cortazzi SEAD HKGD
w Rapsen Mistage jells
30
BRUNEI
I
1. This afternoon I had a word on the telephone with Sir A Royle MP about Brunei. He said that Lord Shawcross' message to Mr Boyd had come as a complete surprise to the latter who knew nothing about the subject. However Sir A Royle had now briefed him on the current situation. concluded that the Minister of State's session with Lord Boyd next week may be fairly easy. However Sir A Royle then digressed about Brunei in a way which may well indicate Conservative Party thinking.
3.
Sir A Royle then said there was another reason why it would be unwise to make an abrupt announcement about withdrawing the Gurkhas. This was because of the importance of the battalion in Brunei as an immediate reinforcement for Hong Kong in the event of further troubles there. The police disturbances in Hong Kong had shown up how important it was to have immediate reinforcement. Having been in Hong Kong recently he was
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