TNAG-0475-FCO40-540-Contributions-of-Hong-Kong-for-costs-on-maintaining-military-1974 — Page 12

KOTES FOR SUFFLEMENTARIES

The current Defence contribution Under the current agreement with the by the Hong Kong Government.

Hong Kong Government, which runs to

1976, they pay an average of £¿M a

year. We are currently discussing

with them the exact level of their

contribution during the remainder of

the agreement, but this is not related

in any way to the Defence Review.

What does the Defence

contribution repr-sent in relation to the cost of the Farrison?

Between 20% and 25%.

Any questions about the future level of the garrison or of the Hong Kong Governments financial contribution.

I am sorry I cannot anticipate the

outcome of our consultations with the

Hong Kong Government or the final

Government decisions on the Defence

Review.

If pressed for immediate reassurance for the Hong Kong population on the question of

the Garrison.

I cannot really aid to what I have

already said or to the points made by

by rt hon Friend the Minister of State

at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

on 27th March in answering rather

wider questions about the British

presence in Hong Kong. (If pressed

further). It is the policy of HMG to

maintain our administration of Hong

Kong, but the Defence Review will be

all embracing and I cannot say any more

than I have on the question of the

garrison at this stage.