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Must therefore expect them to try to obtain more cash or greater savings out of Hong Kong operation.
- If Hong Kong Government genuinely wishes vessels to remain, will have to show flexibility in talks. Understand your difficulties with Finance Committee but I am sure there are ways this can be overcome.
- Unethical although it would be, always possible for MOD simply to inflate Garrison costs without telling anyone (you may think they do this already!).
Willing to take up your case again should talks fail, but you must appreciate that fighting Hong Kong's case in Cabinet on this issue will be very difficult.
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