TNAG-0525-FCO40-620-Visit-of-UK-Members-of-Parliament-(Defence-and-External-Affa-1975 — Page 3

From: A J H Ward

Defence Secretariat 6

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Main Building Whitehall London SW1A 2HB

Telephone 01-218 2241 (Direct Dialling)

01-218 9000

(Switchboard)

Your reference

R Janvrin, Esq

Our reference

Hong Kong and Indian Ocean Department Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Date

D/DS6/38/168/3 22 December 1975

งาน

Рокий,

k..

0

Sab. File

DEFENCE AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS SUB-COMMITTEE

HONG KONG

1. Following our discussion this morning I now enclose a copy of the transcript of evidence given by the Minister of State, Mr Rodgers. We are being asked whether the transcript can be published in due course, without deletion on security grounds.

2.

As I explained, the only points in the transcript of possible FCO concern (now that the Defence Costs Agreement has been announced) seem to be the references on page 10 (last sentence) and pages 11 and 12 to the modus vivendi with China. I should be grateful if you would arrange for those concerned in the FCO to consider these references and advise on whether any security classification is required (my layman's view is that it probably is not, and I know that the Minister would strongly hope that no deletions would be necessary). The usual injunction applies that sidelining, if necessary, should be confined as far as possible to individual words and phrases not whole passages.

3. I have been asked to work to a deadline of 2 January and should be grateful for a reply by close of play that day.

Чат

Inshew warned.