TNAG-0348-FCO40-384-Costs-of-extra-services-provided-by-armed-forces-of-UK-in-Ho-1972 — Page 44

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

cleared with Mr Thap. iths

20.4.12.

CONFIDENTIAL

und gravation Higulanan

Bonner ensek

etc were constructed at military expense

The Ministry of Defence has been seeking to recoup

this expenditure from the Hong Kong Government

which has, however, declined to accept the charge.

9. In 1968, under operation "Spring Clean",

certain works services were also required to

refurbish other border positions which had fallen

into disrepair, and six of these positions were

reconstructed.

By this time the undertaking of

works services at the border had been put on to

a formal basis following a policy decision taken

by the Hong Kong Government in March 1968. In

accordance with that decision, the Hong Kong

Government agreed to accept responsibility for the

maintenance of all buildings required for operational

reasons in the border area, whether they were

occupied by the Army or the police.

Work to be

done was discussed and agreed between the

Government and the Army; the latter provided

(at no cost) such technical advice as was necessary

and sometimes supervision and labour; and the

Hong Kong Government met the cost of all stores

required. Under these arrangements, that

Government agreed to meet the costs of works

services required for operation "Spring Clean".

In February, 1971, the FCO were told by the Hong

Kong Government that - "The latest policy statement

on maintenance of border works refers to the

Military being "responsible for all defence works

and for all accommodation and tracks they have

built and not formally handed over to the PWD

for maintenance"."

5.

CONFIDENTIAL

/10.