TNAG-0479-FCO40-544-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 97

?

GR 135

IMMEDIATE

CYPHER CAT A

FM PEKING Ø504207

CONFIDENTIAL

DESKBY 0509002

CONFIDENTIAL

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No.52

-SNOV 1974 NXK 10/9

TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 860 OF 5 NOVEMBER 1974

INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG,

COPY

166

LAST REF

160

NEXI

REF.

1168

YOUR TELEGRAM NO 946 TO HONG KONG: PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION ON

HONG KONG.

1.

!

FOR PRESENTATIONAL REASONS I WOULD PREFER TO OMIT

THE.SECOND SENTENCE OF THE ANSWER IN PARAGRAPH 2 OF YOUR

TELEGRAM UNDER REFERENCE AND TO INSERT AND DEFENCE''

BETWEEN "THE ADMINISTRATION'' AND OF HONG KONG'' IN THE

FIRST SENTENCE.

"

2. WOULD IT NOT BE CLEARER TO REFER TO 'AGREEMENT ON DEFENCE

EXPENDITURE'' RATHER THAN 'DEFENCE AGREEMENT''.

3. I HAVE NO OBJECTION TO THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED IN

HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO 1893 EXCEPT FOR THE LAST.

THE CHINESE HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN ANY FORMAL INDICATION

OF THE VIEWS OF THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT ON THE ISSUE AND

1 RECOMMEND STICKING TO THE LINE, TAKEN IN PARAGRAPH 4(A)

OF THAT TELEGRAM.

YOUDE

FILES

HKIOD

FED

DEFENCE D

PS

PS/LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS MR THOMSON

COPIES TO: -

HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE

6 GRAFTON STREET, W.1

MR H BLANKS DS11 MOD

CONFIDENTIAL