TNAG-0182-FCO40-218-Defence-contributions-1969 — Page 42

This is Surely back to

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FISERT USE WERKEREN

concept of the problem which does not distinguish between

internal security and other forces leads to the conclusion that it is the costs of the whole garrison to which the Colony's contribution should be related.j

front 6.

hould

The level of contribution should also have regard

(as I think you yourself accepted in discussion) to the

ability of the Colony to pay an increasing amount for defence

at a time of rapidly increasing growth in the GNP; and also

to the considerable benefit to the local economy generated by

the local expenditure of the Service Departments and uniformed

and civilian personnel and their families. 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 it

may be to measure the forces and costs involved, this would

be one consideration against which any proposals which you

might make would be considered.]

7. While the main question on which you will now be taking

a preliminary view is of course the level of the cash

contribution, there are important subsidiary questions on-

which it would be useful to have your opinion at the same

time. We should be interested to have your views on the

question of the period for which the new agreement should

operate and on provisions it might include either for

stability of the contribution or alternatively for review

in the event of major changes. There is also the question

whether a separate element of the contribution should be

/identificâ

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