SECRET
To Ruhiyys.
1152
F. LKD
LETTER NUMBER:
183946
From the Private Secretary
LET MON
BROIT
Los
05/or Goodland
40 DOWNING STREET fi J. Caus
LONDON SW1A 2AA
063/1
CEIVED IN T *STRY
1
U AUG 1993
TRY
Taker
DESK OFFICER
Dear Mr. Pill Brooke
Chief, cur
пи пий
Hur 16 July 1993 Hd/FED
RFD Plonnes
Neus
SpAdvis
HONG KONG: THE FUTURE OF THE BRITISH GARRISON
In his reply of 16 July to the Defence Secretary's minute of 7 July (both addressed to the Prime Minister), the Chancellor recorded agreement to Mr. Rifkind's proposal to announce on 19 July that the Hong Kong garrison would be reduced to one battalion.
As the Chancellor and the Defence Secretary are now agreed, at least on this interim step, I do not see a need to consult the Prime Minister again for the time being. His agreement to the reduction of the Hong Kong garrison was recorded in my letter of 29 June to Jeremy Heywood.
I think it would be useful if our two press officers were in touch about the handling of the announcement.
I am copying this letter to the Private Secretaries to Members of OPD(K) and to Melanie Leech (Cabinet Office).
John Pitt-Brooke, Esq., Ministry of Defence
Yours sincerely Stougher Starte
рр
RODERIC LYNE
h
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SECRET
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Jigh
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