TNAG-0254-FCO40-290-Contributions-of-Hong-Kong-for-costs-of-maintaining-military-1971 — Page 147

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

5. You may wish to know that during the

recent visit to Hong Kong of Mr. Stretton

and others from the Ministry of Public

Buildings and Works, it was concluded that

in so far as the Hong Kong Public Works

Department might not have the design capacity

to cope with the whole of, the expanded works

programme, the Ministry of Public Buildings

and Works would be able to take on any rem-

aining balance.

6. It is emphasised that the figures given

in the enclosures to this saving despatch

have not yet been subjected to detailed

scruting and they may well be subject to

amendment. However, it is thought that

the information which they give will be

sufficient to enable you to judge the size

and general form of the proposed building

programme. (Moreover, since works costs

constitute only a relatively small part

of the total figure for defence expenditure,

it is hoped that the information now given

will be sufficent to enable you to let us

have your initial views as regards the size

of the defence contribution which you consider

would be a fair charge to Hong Kong funds

and which it would be politically possible

for you to negotiate with your unofficial

advisers.

sers