TNAG-0182-FCO40-218-Defence-contributions-1969 — Page 37

4.

Suggested redraft of paras 4-6 T of enclosure. to H.D.D better DUS (F)/153/1

of 25.9.69.

No provision for the costs of a Hunter unit have been

included in the statement pending the outcome of the corres-

X8

pondence which rests with your letter to Carter No. TSX 1/57

of 15 September. But if the alternative of visits by R.A.F.

aircraft on training detachments is accepted as a solution to

the problem of providing fighter cover for Hong Kong, then

provision for the capital and recurrent costs of such visits

will need to be included in the statement. We shall be writing

to you separately on this point.

5.

Coming now to the question of the future Defence gontribu-

tion, you explained to the Defence Secretary the considerable

difficulty you had been faced with in 1966 because of the

notional division of the garrison between internal security

forces and external defence forces. We can see your point

and we share your wish that the form of negotiations should

be designed to give you the greatest possible assistance in

presenting the case to unofficial opinion in the Colony. But

while we are receptive to ideas about a new approach to this

problem it is still necessary for us at this end to keep at

the back of our minds the proposition that the cost of internal

security is a Colonial responsibility. Difficult though we

know it is to measure the forces and costs involved, this is

bound to be one consideration against which any proposals which you may make would be considered.X

6.

Again, we are bound to take into account the doctrine that

has been applied since the last century that a Colony contributes

to its own defence according to its capacity to pay. I think

that you yourself appreciate the force of this argument although

we realise that it is not one which would command much sympathy

from your unofficial advisers. However, having regard to Hong

buoyant

Kong's robust economic position and to the considerable benefit

to the local economy generated by the local expenditure of the

/ Service