TNAG-0179-FCO40-215-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-Garrison-1970 — Page 181

News Derartment

COCRES

K.271 P.A. on TS, Gammon fie

Mr. harga 18/5.

15e 18/3

2

10

You may have noticed in today's TIMES that the M.F. for Stirling West (Mr. Baxter) in a debate in the House on 12 March claimed that the only purpose in maintaining Hong Kong at present (presumably he was speaking in a military context as this was the Defence Debate) was for wireless

spying lon tallations there. The TIMES carried an item from Hong Kong which explained that it had been pointed out locally that troops were required for real and cogent reasona

in Hong Kong.

2. It is to be hoped that nothing more is said about wire- less spying but should you be asked any questions, please try to kill them. The economic and other reasona for our being in Hong Kong are pretty self-cvident.

3. If pressed, you can confirm that there is a composite

Signals Station there; this is for official communications

purposes. But I very much hope you can steer anybody off

this.

3. Admiral Denning is aware of this situation,

RECEIVED IN

ARCHIVES N. 31

Copied to:-

Mr. Carter, Hong Kong Dept. Mr. Ewart-Biggs.

SECRET

1

W. L. Allinson, PUSD.

14 March. 1962.

HKK 10/1.