TNAG-0525-FCO40-620-Visit-of-UK-Members-of-Parliament-(Defence-and-External-Affa-1975 — Page 152

2

D OF DP(C)

HEAD OF (AIR)

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference...

AUS(CS) 461/75

1XXA

DS1 (MR. JONES)

Mr. O'Keeffe, FCO-—-—-—-—-

Kr. Hansford, Treasury

Copies to: Ps/Minister of State

Mr. Benham, F1(N)

COSTS OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON

DECE

PKK 3/548/8

We have been asked at short notice to produce a paper on this subject for the Defence and External Affairs Sub- Committee in readiness for the Minister of State'a appearance before the Sub-Committee on 11 November. I attach a draft based largely on the agreed Press statement which was issued at the end of the Minister's visit to Hong Kong last week. I believe that it would be a mistake to go further than this in a note submitted to the Sub-Committee at this stage. If the Minister of State wishes to give any auditional information on a confidential basis it would be preferable for this to be done orally.

2.

We have been asked to submit the note by Friday, 7 November and I should therefore be grateful for your comments by close of play on Thursday 6 November. In view of the short time available I am sending a copy to PS/Minister of State in case he wishes to let the Minister of State see the draft while comments are awaited.

5 November 1975

R. JANDREW

AUS(GS)

CONFIDENTIAL