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1971 to cover our withdrawal from the Persian Gulf and Malaysia/ Singapore and that it might be possible to deploy one of these
carriers to Hong Kong for occasional visits during the latter part of that year. If we are to accept the Ministry of Defence's proposals it would be advisable to press for visits to the Colony by an aircraft carrier to be included in the programme for 1971 in order to supplement what may otherwise be a very meagre programme indeed.
6.
As regards paragraph 6 of the background note, we have since learned from the Acting Governor that he has no comments of substance to make on the Air Force Department paper although he hopes that it may be possible, in the event, for the fighter cover for 1971 to be rather better than can at this stage be envisaged. He sees no objection to any of the aircraft types mentioned.
Helicopters
7. The Ministry of Defence are clearly experiencing difficulty in complying with Mr. Healey's suggestion that the costs of the additional helicopters should be met by making acceptable cuts elsewhere in the present costs of the garrison. Nevertheless, the Planning Staff are proposing, in their draft note for the Chiefs of Staff, to adhere to the recommendation that the additional machines should be provided and have endeavoured to strengthen the case for this recommendation. If in the course of our discussions with the Governor further arguments were forthcoming in support of the request for the additional helicopters these could with advantage be passed on to the Ministry of Defence in time for
incorporation in the final submission to the Chiefs of Staff.
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