TNAG-0310-FCO40-346-Contributions-of-Hong-Kong-for-costs-of-maintaining-military-1971 — Page 126

SECRET

5. NO UNDERTAKING OF ANY KIND WAS CIVEN AT FINANCE COMMITTEE

THAT WE WOULD REVIEW THE BASE DATE, OR EVEN THAT WE WOULD

APPROACH YOU ON THE SUBJECT, BUT IF WE CAN TELL MEMBERS BEFORE

THE MATTER IS TAKEN FORMALLY IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE DATE

HAS BEEN CHANGED, WE SHALL TAKE THE WIND OUT OF THE CRITICS

IN DEBATE SAILS, AND REMOVE A POINT WHICH, IF EMPHASIZED KIDICATE, THE

PRESS IS LIKELY TO MAGNIFY DAMAGINGLY AND THEREBY GENERATE A

GENERAL ATTACK,

6. I NOW PROPOSE TO TAKE THE MATTER FORMALLY TO THE

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 1ST OCTOBER (NOT 6TH OCTOBER) AS A RESOLU-

TION COVERING SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS TO BE MOVED BY THE

FINANCIAL SECRETARY. AS INDICATED, I DO NOT ANTICIPATE HAVING

TO USE THE OFFICIAL MAJORITY, BUT SHOULD OPPOSITION TO THE ARRANGEMENT GROW BETWEEN NOW AND THEN (AS IT MIGHT) IT WOULD

I CONSIDER BE PERFECTLY PROPER FOR ME TO USE MY ORIGINAL, AND

CASTING VOTE, SINCE I WOULD BE DOING SO WITH EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

AND FINANCE COMMITTEE BEHIND ME.

7. THERE WILL BE MY OWN ADDRESS IN COUNCIL THAT DAY TO DIVERT

PRESS INTEREST AND I PROPOSE TO DIVERT ATTENTION FURTHER IF I

CAN BY INTRODUCINGOTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST.

FCO PASS PRIORITY HK GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON

TRENCH

FILES

H K D

FED

DEFENCE D

FPAD

A & T D

DTGD

PS

PS TO MR ROYLE

PS TO PUS

SIR L MONSON

MR ROSE

MR WILFORD

NNNNN

ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION

HKD P

www.

2

SECRET

•

+