ABILITY TO WITHSTAND
DETERMINED ATTACK
The security of Hong Kong could be threatened by incidents falling short of the unlikely event of Q full-scale attack which we recognise could not be withstood by the
garrison. But this presence of the garrison, particularly along the border, acts as a deterent to border violations, and helps to prevent the escalation of minor
incidents.
REINFORCEMENT
POST-DEFENCE REVIEW
THE END OF THE LEASE
We shall still be able to reinforce the garrison if the need arises, but this is an operational matter on which I cannot go into details.
S
The New Territories leafe does not expire until 1997. It is not possible to predict what the circumstances will be so far in the future.
}
RELATIONS WITH CHINA
SIZE OF FUTURE GARRISON
AND FUTURE HONG KONG
CONTRIBUTION
WHEN WILL DECISIONS
BE ANNOUNCED
That is a matter for my Rt. Hon Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth
Secretary.
These matters are the subject of consultations with the Hong Kong Govt. and I cannot comment on them until consultations have been
completed. As the House will be aware we have said that we are seeking a greater contribution from Hong Kong in the successor to the present cost-sharing agreement.
There will of course be an
announcement when consultations
are complete but it is too early to say when this might be.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.