Loke
CONFIDENTIAL
Archie Hamilton Esq, MP
Minister of State for the Armed Forces
Ministry of Defence
Whitehall
LONDON
SW1A 2HB
HONG KONG PATROL CRAFT
Thank you for your letter of 26 February about the Royal Naval presence in Hong Kong.
As I said in my earlier letter, I do appreciate your
budgetary difficulties and I can well understand your
wish to resolve this matter as quickly as possible. I
am sure the Governor can be in no doubt about the MOD's
position, as set out in the final paragraph of your
letter.
A
Douglas Hurd had time for only a very brief word with the Governor about this during the latter's recent
in vaw of the importance to thing king and the United Kingdom visit to London. He intends however to go over the
ground in greater detail during his forthcoming visit to Hong Kong on 2-3 April; and Qn his return he would like to discuss the subject with the Defence Secretary and are can deach
subjectmally acceptable solphor.
understand your keeness to settle this matter and but
I therefore' hope that, despite the urgency of the
matter, you can bear with us a little longer, in the interest of reaching a mutually acceptable solution.
sure you would
Earl of Caithness