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15.
Sir Murray MacLehose was satisfied that the screening arrangements were satisfactory. The technical aspects of the returns had been well prepared by the Political Adviser, and it was important that the Hong Kong Government should not be pushed (through the efforts of Amnesty or others) into the position that returnable illegals had to be held before it was confirmed that third countries would not accept them. Genuine refugees would be allowed to remain in Hong Kong.
VI
Defence Review
16.
Sir Murray MacLehose said that the sudden doubling of Hong Kong's defence contribution would place an additional very great strain on the Colony's budget. To treble the contribution in one step, which was what UK Ministers in effect proposed, was not viable in Hong Kong. The forthcoming negotiations would have to work within the parameters of:
(i)
(ii)
professional assessment of the security requirement; what the UK was prepared to pay; and
(iii) a feasible level of contribution from Hong Kong. But if the gap could not be closed between the cost of the forces and the maximum that the UK and Hong Kong could pay, then there might be no alternative to a drastic reduction in forces, undesirable though this would be.
17.
Lord Goronwy-Roberts agreed with the Governor that the minimum requirement for security purposes needed to be examined very thoroughly.
VII Lord Goronwy-Roberts's Visit to Hong Kong
18.
Lord Goronwy-Roberts was pleased with the programme suggested for his visit. After a discussion on whether
representatives of the Communist trade unions might be invited to meet him, it was agreed that a discreet message should be conveyed to them, around the time that he arrived in Hong Kong, to the effect that he would be available to see them if they wished, and he wished this to be known in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.
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