TNAG-0479-FCO40-544-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 95

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IIMMEDIATE

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LAST

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FM FCO 251750Z

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CONFIDENTIAL IDEN

DESKEY 06:170Z

TO IMMEDIATE PEKING TELNO 661 OF 5 NOVEMBER INFO HONG KONG.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION ON HONG KONG: YOUR TELNO 863

1. THE DRAFT ANSWER SUBMITTED TO MINISTERS NOW READS: QUOTE WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF ABANDONING HONG KONG. ON THE QUESTION OF DEFENCE, THE PRESENT AGREEMENT ON HONG KONG'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE COST OF THE GARRISON EXPIRES IN MARCH 1976. THE SUCCESSOR AGREEMENT WILL OF COURSE BE THE SUBJECT OF CONSULTATION WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME. UNQUOTE. 2. WE HAVE ADDED A NEW FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY AS FOLLOWS: QUOTE WHAT DO WE MEAN BY NOT ABANDON''? IT MEANS THAT WE HAVE

NO INTENTION OF ABANDONING OUR COMMITMENT TO THE ADMINISTRATION

AND SECURITY OF HONG KONG. UNQUOTE.

;

CALLAGHAN

FILES

HKOD

FED

DEFENCE D

COPIES TO

HONG KONG GOUT OFFICE

6 GRAFTON ST.

WIX 3LB

PS

PS / LORD GORONNY- ROBERTS

MR. H. BLANKS

DS. 11.

SIR.G. ARTHUR

MR. THOMSON

MR. WILFORD

MR.

MALE

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