XN000022-1975-12-19 — Page 15

- 6

Most important of all, the British commitment to the integrity

and security of Hong Kong is reinforced and restated by its terms, And

the presence of a British garrison will ensure that confidence and

stability which are so essential for Hong Kong's prosperity are maintained

in the future

LARGE AREAS OF LAND TO BE RETURNED TO

HONG KONG GOVERNMENT

Seven valuable areas of land, including Victoria Barracks and

R.A.F. Kai Tak, will be returned to the Hong Kong Government over the next

four years under the new defence costs agreement announced today. The

first land will be handed back before the end of next April.

The sites to be returned are Dodwell's Ridge Camp (10 acres),

Sai Kung Camp (24 acres), Sham Shui Po Camp (33 acres), two camps in

Argyle Street (13.6 acres), R.A.F. Kai Tak (about 120 acres) and Victoria

Barracks (43.4 acres).

In each case, no compensation will be paid by Hong Kong as was

the practice in some instances in the past. This provision is clearly

stated in the new agreement. It will apply also to any future releases of

land that is no longer required for the garrison.

The Kai Tak site, which includes the whole of the old aerodrome

and the officers' mess on the opposite side of Kwun Tong Road is scheduled

to be released by March 31, 1978.

+

The R...F.