Нома Крис У 1.
188
SECRETARY OF STATE
MO 6/19/1J
HKB 063/1
Эже бити
Smith,
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
PS LORD CHUMNES, WHITEHALL LONDON SW1A 2HB
Carimwe
Ps Pus
S12 J COLES. Mtr Bucas
0
201/11
Telephone 071-21 82111/3
Mr Gox
Thanks
M
12/4
My Stone bid HK's tel go to мод?
Mn
10/ki.
291 November 1991
No But I have
não repied the relevant documents to SEC (o) (c).
184
て
12/12
183
FUTURE RN PRESENCE IN HONG KONG
The Defence Secretary has seen your letter of 7th November and Andrew Turnbull's letter of 11th November.
He agreed reluctantly that there is little point in pressing the question of a contribution from the Hong Kong Government towards the cost of retaining the three patrol craft in the Territory after 1992. The Defence Secretary has also noted the Foreign Secretary's
Clearly, comments on the military utility of the patrol craft. while they remain in Hong Kong, it makes sense for them to carry out tasks which are militarily useful. But this does not alter the fact
that the defence case for retention is very weak; the job could equally be done by police and would not justify the commitment of funds from a hard pressed defence budget. That has been recognised by appropriate extra provision in this year's PES round.
I am sending a copy of this letter to Andrew Turnbull (No. 10), Nicholas Holgate (Chief Secretary's Office) and Sonia Phippard (Cabinet Office).
Yom pocerly
Sun Kab. Вжи
(S WEBB)
Private Secretary
Have they
Seen
the news
q
the recent
armed inscursionis
Simon Gass Esq
PS/Foreign Secretary
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