SECKEN
US-EYES A
in garrison teeth-arm units would not itself be caught by that provision in the current agreement which required prior consultation before more than one major unit was removed. It was agreed that the necessary planning action on both counts, including such overt steps as might be necessary, would not prejudice negotiations on the future level of the Hong Kong Garrison. It would, however, be necessary to take the Governor's advice on the nature and timing of any local statement that might have to be made following the Defence White Paper and any related Service promulgations relating to these proposed reductions, and it was agreed that the FCO would signal the Governor
soon as Jossible drawing these points to his attention and giving him notice that the MO representative on the Working Party would be raising them in confidence with Hong Kong officials. The signal would also invite the Governor's views on the terms in which a local statement should be made.
€.
CBFHK in his signals had continued to refer to the question of the timing of the arrival of the DS1 representative, and AUS(GS) had replied explaining why there would be difficulty if DS1 were to join the Working Party before 9th March; but had left open the possibility, should CBFHK find it essential, of a slightly earlier date. It was noted that the FCO representative on the Working Party, Mr Jackson, intended arriving at the same time as the DS1 representative, and that he was liaising with DS6. Afternote: DS1 and FCC representatives now to arrive in Hong Kong on 7th March, AUS(GS) had discussed with Treasury their interest in the Working Party and had agreed with them that they would be kept in touch with the main options being considered and would be fully involved in the necessary processes of consideration when the Working Party's Report had been received in Whitehall. Should the Working Party's deliberations take a turn which seemed to necessitate Treasury attendance, the MOD would clear this as necessary with the Governor and with CBFHK.
The meeting then considered specific points for briefing AD of DP(C). These were:
2.
The costings of the five main options identified in Hong Kong and already signalled
a.
by CBFHK. DS1 explained that it had not been possible fully to validate the Hong Kong costing of the options because Hong Kong had
3
UK EYES A
SEGRETUR
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