** SECRET
on 30 April do in fact record the Governor as having made
the remark imputed to him above; however, the same minutes
also state that "it was hoped that the charge to the Hong
Kong Government could be limited to operating costs and that
it would not be necessary for them to purchase the Hunter
aircraft". It would be advisable to ascertain from the
Governor whether he did, in fact, make the remarks
attributed to him on this point. When the Defence and
Oversea Policy Committee considered the question of the future strength and structure of the Hong Kong Garrison (including the possibility of a permanent fighter presence)
they concluded that consideration of where the costs of the
Garrison should be borne should be deferred, but
that the Defence Secretary should arrange for the
best assessment possible to be made of the full cost to Her Majesty's Government of the Hong Kong commitment.
TOP SECRET
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