TNAG-0480-FCO40-545-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 64

GRS 180

IMMEDIATE

CYPHER CAT/A

.FM HONG KONG 1206472

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

RECEIVED IN

REGISTRY

52

12DEC.974

242

CCP

TO IMMEDIATE F C O TELEGRAM NUMBER 1244 OF 12 DECEMBER. 1974

YOUR TELEGRAM NUMBER 1087 OF 11 DECEMBER.

-PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION: DEFENCE COSTS.

LAST

NEX

REF..

200

WE AGREE BUT SUGGEST INSERTION OF WORD ''NOW' TO READ "IS

NOW ABOUT £40M.'' IN ANY SUPPLEMENTARIES WE WOULD SUGGEST

INCLUSION OF REFERENCE TO FACT THAT WHEN THE CONTRIBUTION WAS

AGREED IN 1971 THE ESTIMATED COST OF FORCES WAS £28M AND HONG KONG CONTRIBUTION WAS 28%. THIS SHOULD AVOID CONFUSION OVER 225) COSTS TO WHICH MY TELEGRAM NO 1289 OF 4 DECEMBER REFERS. 225) COSTS

2. WE WOULD PREFER TERM ''LESS THAN ONE PER CENT''

MACLEHOSE

FILES

HRIOD (4)

DEFENCE D

MR. MALE

CONFIDENTIAL