TNAG-0480-FCO40-545-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 152

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towards our remaining Dependent Territories,

although we propose to make some economies in

the forces in Hong Kong and to seek from the

"ong Kong Government a larger contribution to

their cost when the present cost-sharing

agreement runs out in 1976."

4. We have consulted Sir Murray MacLe'ose about the

impact that the second version might have at his end.

His advice is that, while it is accepted by the official

side of t'e "long Kong Government as

as an accurate statement

of 'MG's objective, it could easily provoke public debate

in ong Kong with a hardening of opposition on the

proposition "We won't pay more money for less garrison".

5. The Governor is quietly working towards agreement

between Officials about a level of garrison and contribution

which would be acceptable to G and whic Executive Council

could be brought to accept. This process is a preliminary

to making the proposal public and putting it to Legislative

·

Council (whose Finance Committee, which has an unofficial

majority, votes the funds). The Governor had envisaged the

latter definitive process taking place in about May (ie. after

the Budget and, incidentally, after Te Queen's visit).

is advice is that it is an emotive issue, which should not

[]

become a matter of public debate before he is sure that he

has Executive Council's support for a specific proposition.

lle fears that the second proposed statement would have this

/undesirable

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