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the RN ferries etc. Morale of LEP when HK Chinese sailors were made redundant would need consideration too.
18. Mr Paul responded by saying the FCO appreciated the efforts made by MOD. The problem for HMG was a political one, and there was a requirement for collective recognition by Ministers of the need for a solution. He hoped Ministers would appreciate the political damage that could be done, together with the signal it would send to the Chinese and the difficulties which might accrue, with which we would have to live.
19. Mr Hatfield added that he accepted that Army posts would have to increase in the absence of the PCs. Redundancies amongst the LEP would cause some difficulties, but that would be a problem in due course in any event. the worst came to the worst, presentation would have to be as positive as possible.
If
20. CBF hoped that SofS having written to the Foreign Secretary, the Foreign Secretary would in turn write to the PM, drawing his attention to the collective nature of the problem.
ITEM 3B
1991 REVIEW: REVIEW OF INPUT AND STAFFING TIMETABLE
21. The Chairman said that he hoped everyone had seen the first draft. He did not wish to discuss the document in detail but it would be useful to hear if there were any broad issues to be raised which could be taken on board at this stage. The Chairman noted that the staffing timetable (to COS on 3 Dec) should enable the one star draft in September to take account of the PC decision.
22. CBF said he was generally content with the draft, and pleased that it included the "event led" quality of the withdrawal. It underlined the need to keep the Review rolling and not set in concrete and it was very difficult to predict what would happen from 1994 onwards. There was no feel as yet for the attitude of HKG to the draft.
23. The meeting concluded that the first draft was a good start and agreed the staffing timetable.
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