TNAG-0255-FCO40-291-Contributions-of-Hong-Kong-for-costs-of-maintaining-military-1971 — Page 31

8. In view of the wide gulf which appears to

separate our respective approaches to this

problem, we have abandoned our idea of getting

our paper to D.0.P.C. before the New Year.

This delay does, however, present us with

problems since it is essential that a decision

Soon enough

be reached in time for whatever contribution

is accepted here to be negotiated by the

Governor with his unofficial advisers in time

for the necessary provision to be included in

the draft Hong Kong estimates for 1971/72. We

are asking the Governor to let us know his

time limit for this ¡urpose. Meanwhile, rather

than embark upon further correspondence it might

save some time if we were to have one further

meeting to clear up any misunderstandings before

we finally decide upon the form of our approach

to D.O.P.C.

I am

9.1 a

am conrying this letter to

Gedling and Strettion.

-4-

SECRET

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