TNAG-0480-FCO40-545-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 68

CONFIDENTIAL

240

IMMEDIATE

CYPHER/CAT A

+

GFPS 140

RFCO 111608Z

CONFIDENTIAL.

DESKDY 1123597.

212

TO IMEDIATE HONG KONG TEL30 1087 OF 11 DECEMBER, 1974

FOLLOWING FOR GOVERNOR FROM STUART.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS,

(HK)

1. MR CLEMITSO (LUTON EAST: LABOUR) IS TO ASK THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE:

(1) WHAT IS THE TOTAL ANUAL COST OF MAINTAINING FORCES IN HONG KONG:

(11) MIAT PERCENTAGE OF THE COST OF MAINTAINING FORCES IN HONG KONG IS PAID BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT: AND WHAT PROPORTION THEIR CONTRIBUTION REPRESENTS OF THE GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT OF HONG KONG. 2. IT IS PROPOSED TO. ANSWER POTH PQ'S TOGETHER, AS FOLLOWS:- QUOTE THE TOTAL ANUAL COST OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON IS ABOUT 40. MILLION POUNDS AND OF THIS THE HONG KONG GOVERMENT CONTRIBUTE ABOUT 25 PER CENT. THIS REPRESENTS (ABOUT HALF A PER CENT) (LESS THAN 1

•

PER CENT) OF THE HONG KONG GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT UNQUOTE,

3. GRATEFUL FOR ANY COMMENTS BY 09G0Z ON 12 DECEMBER.

CALLAGHAN

FILE S HKIOD

CONFIDENTIAL