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From the Private Secretary
Dear Lina,
CONFIDENTIAL
Dr Paul HICD
(156)
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PS/PUS Sir J. Cones
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Dr Goneven
24 July 1991
Head's NPAD
PED
News (personal)
Spenal Aousers
FUTURE RN PRESENCE IN HONG KONG
257
The Prime Minister has seen the exchange of minutes on this subject, in particular the Foreign Secretary's minute of 19 July and the Defence Secretary's minute of 23 July.
150
He
The Prime Minister thinks that we cannot leave Hong Kong without Royal Naval patrol craft. He is unattracted by the idea of cutting down the number of patrol craft from three to two. therefore concludes that we should keep three RN patrol craft. The Prime Minister would like the question of finance to be pursued in the PES round. In the meantime, the proposed answer to Lord Chalfont should not go ahead.
You and the FCO may wish to consider whether there is any scope for returning to the charge with the Hong Kong Government on the proportion of the costs which they bear.
I am copying this letter to Richard Gozney (Foreign and Commonwealth Office), Nicholas Holgate (Chief Secretary's Office) and Sonia Phippard (Cabinet Office).
Janss
Saphe
(J. S. WALL)
141
Simon Webb, Esq., Ministry of Defence.
CONFIDENTIAL
No Stone
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