NOTHING TO BE Written IN THIS MARGIN
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and to assist in
the maintenance (
law and
onker.
5.
The garrison in Hong Kong is there for
the defence of the Colony
Colony Its presence is
of direct economic benefit to the Colony both
by reason of the confidence it engenders in
the eyes of everseas trading partners and
investors and by virtue of the local spending
that it generates. Its maintenance involves
HMG in very considerable annual expenditure
which during the next few years will be at
least £17 million, even if allowance is made
for a contribution of £8.5 million from the
Colony. This represents a form of direct
assistance to Hong Kong of a far higher order
than that given to any other territory of
comparable size, dependent or independent.
6. With reference to paragraph 8 of your
Memorandum I have been informed that no
record can be traced of any such undertaking.
However the fact that HMG were unable to
help with the extension of Kai Tak airport
should certainly not be taken as an indication
of a lack of interest on their part in the
well-being of the people of Hong Kong. That
this is far from being the case was shown in
the assistance rendered by the garrison in
dealing with the disturbances in 1967. The
truth is that the calls upon HMG are such that
they can only be met on a system of priorities
based on need, and, as you will appreciate,
Hong Kong cannot rank high in such a system.
t is incorrect to say that HMG
It
do not expect reimbursement for sums expended
More than half
on aid contributions.
aeb of HMG's overseas ^^
economic aid takes the form of loans not
grants.
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