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HEAD OF DS11 MINISTER (E)
ENCLOSURE TO COS 1430/4/7/69.
HONG KONG
While I was in Hong Kong I had useful discussions with both the Governor and with CBF. A note of my talk with the former is attached.
Hunters
2.
See
para 49(9) храти з
The main point which emerged clearly from my talk with the Governor was his total unwillingness to contemplate any capital payment for the Hunter aircraft, and his reluctance also to press the Executive Council for any additional defence contribution before 1971. He was, however, unaware of our plans to train forces in the Far East after 1971, and gave some indication that he might in the last resort be content with occasional visits of RAF aircraft forming part of these detachments. Not knowing how far this might be possible within our approved plans, I was fairly non-committal; I was also told that up to £90,000 might be needed to strengthen the Kai Tak runway for Phantoms. I should, however, be grateful if you and CAS would now consider quickly to what extent, if at all, we might deal with what is essentially a political problem in this way.
Whirlwinds
3.
I had of course seen your submission of 11th June (E.31/02) before I met the Governor and CBF. Although they both pressed me fairly hard, I am bound to say that, like you, I was not convinced that the requirement is absolutely essential. I am also concerned about the increasing pressure on the defence budget, especially from 1971 onwards; and we will have no idea whether the Hong Kong Government are prepared to increase their
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