TNAG-0307-FCO40-343-Costs-of-extra-services-provided-by-armed-forces-of-UK-in-Ho-1971 — Page 55

MDL/16/29-3

From Mr

A/16/Abroad/5712

Our reference: Your reference: HKK 10/5

CONFIDENTIAL

Gammon F1 (Air)

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Main Building, Whitehall, LONDON S.W.I

Telephone: taback porry ext. 7491 01-930-7022

A W Gaminara Esq

Hong Kong Department

Foreign and Commonwealth Office LONDON SW1

LAST

REF.

3 March 1971

1.

Dear Gaminare,

NO

RET.

(4

I have been studying your letter of 1 March concerning the outstanding costs connected with the 1967 internal security measures in Hong Kong and have noted that you are taking up the matter of the additional allowances with Hong Kong.

2. In view of the case presented to us by our Command Secretary that the works on the border were a direct consequence of the increased Military presence in the frontier area and the extra cost of such certainly arose out of the 1967 disturbances, I am afraid I cannot agree that this expenditure should rest on Defence Votes. As you say you would find difficulty in persuading the Hong Kong Government to accept liability I must now look to the FCO to reimburse the MOD.

3. Would you let us know as soon as possible that we can expect payment from you of £20691 for the stores used on the border works and also of £173340 for the costs incurred on the "snake" fence.

RECEIVED IN

REGISTRY No.51 - 1 APR 1971

HILK 15:

Yours oracicly Geoping

Gammon

5."

munite.

R&R- Bell

rob

013/1800

CONFIDENTIAL