TNAG-0179-FCO40-215-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-Garrison-1970 — Page 84

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Annex B to Note No. 6

VISIT OF DEPUTY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE

(SIR LESLIE MONSON)

TO HONG KONG, OCTOBER, 1969

DEFENCE: FIGHTER AIRCRAFT

Paragraphs 5 11 set out the background to the Governor's proposal that a R.A.F. Hunter fighter unit should be stationed in Hong Kong as part of the Colony's future garrison. The Governor's letter of 15 September (copy attached) now indicates

that the financial considerations involved have compelled him

to abandon this idea and (subject to the clarification of certain points) to settle very reluctantly for the alternative

of occasional visits to the Colony by R.A.F. aircraft engaged

in training detachments to the Far East in the post-1971 era.

The matters on which the Governor is seeking clarification have

been taken up with the Ministry of Defence.

2.

This department's view is that, if the Governor feels able to say (however reluctantly) that he is satisfied air cover can

be provided at an acceptable level by training flights, we shall

have to recommend acceptance of that view. On the one hand we

see no prospect whatsoever of obtaining additional U.K. funds,

from the Defence budget or other sources, for a permanent fighter presence nor any scope for compensating cuts in the rest of the garrison; and on the other hand the Governor is quite categoric in saying (and in our view he is right) that he could not obtain

Hong Kong funds at any time for the capital cost of the aircraft

or for the running costs during the currency of the present 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

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/ latter's