NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
W(B)L 51-7406
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Tunt
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defence contribution agreement (expiring in
March 1971).
3.
The Governor's decision will need to be
endorsed by Ministers. When Lord Shepherd
discussed the subject of fighter aircraft with
the Governor during his visit to Hong Kong at
the beginning of June (see paragraph 10 below)
the alternative solution of providing minimal
fighter cover for the Colony through R.A.F.
training detachment visits had not been mooted.
It was first mentioned to the Governor by Mr.
Healey during the latter's visit to Hong Kong at
the end of June. It is considered therefore
that Lord Shepherd should be informed of this
proposal and of the Governor's reactions to it.
It is hoped to bring the matter to the Minister's
notice after his return to the office on 10
October and before his departure for the
Caribbean on or about 22 étober.
4.
Another reason for bringing the matter to
Ministerial notice is the fact that Ministers
gave conditional approval in May 1968, (in the
Defence and Overseas Policy Committee) to the
proposal to station a fighter unit in the Colony
(see paragraph 7 below). If that proposal is
now to be abandoned, it would seem desirable for
DOPC at least to be informed of the alternative
arrangements; the timing of this will be dis-
cussed with the Ministry of Defence after Lord
Shepherd's views are known
•
54. We expect to discuss this issue with the
in November
Governor/when we should be in a position to
answer the points he has raised in his letter
of 15 September.
Meanwhile there is little that
can be said to the Acting Governor on the subject
beyond informing him that:-
/ (a).
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