From: E H Gwynn CB
Our reference: DUS (F) 153/1 Your reference:
Dear Wilford,
SECRET
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Main Building, Whitehall, LONDON S.W.I
Telephone: WHItehall 7022, ext. 6613
(45)
HONG KONG DEFENCE CONTRIBUTION
29th September 1970
Mr Z
48
See now letter K Sid.
Trench.
I have discussed your letter of 25th September with Raymond Gedling by telephone.
2. We both appreciate your difficulties and the force of the points made in paragraphs 4 and 5 of your letter. On the other hand the atmosphere surrounding current discussions of the problems of public expenditure is such that we do not believe that Ministers collectively would feel a great deal of sympathy with Hong Kong. We think it is important therefore not to let the Governor believe that the situation at this end is any easier than it really is.
3. In the hope of reaching
agreement with you we are prepared to accept the revised draft attached to your letter subject to the following amendments:
a.
form of words Gereed
то
The first half of the last sentence of paragraph 2 should now read:
"The annex to this letter shows the revised running costs (excluding works) of the Garrison in 1971/72..."
I assume that you will be willing to add at the end of this paragraph the sentence of explanation suggested in paragraph 3 of my letter of 24th September.
At the end of paragraph 3(b) should we not at least ask the Governor whether the Colony's share of the cost of minor works and maintenance will or will not fall within the contribution? If you do not like the way in which we expressed the question in the draft attached to my letter of 15th September perhaps you would just ask him whether he intends that the Colony's share should fall inside or outside the defence contribution.
K. M. Wilford, Esq, CMG
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
SEGRET
= HRKIC/G
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