TNAG-0541-FCO40-636-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 63

PRIME

MINISTER

SECRET: UK EYES A

RECEP EO IN REGISTRY No. 51

16 JUL 1975

i

10 Downing Street Whitehall

14 July 1975

LAST

***

208

Dear Pom.

Defence Review: Hong Kong

REF.

The Prime Minister has seen your Secretary of State's minute of 8 July about Hong Kong.

The Prime Minister agrees with the recommendation in paragraph 6 of Mr. Mason's minute and with the negotiating aims and tactics set out in the 5th paragraph. The Prime Minister is, however, concerned that our case should be put as forcefully as possible to the Hong Kong Government and that we should resist if possible being pushed to our ultimate fall-back position. The Prime Minister accepts that it may be very difficult for the Governor to negotiate better arrangements, but is worried that the Governor may not pay sufficient heed to our own economic difficulties. He suggests therefore that the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary might consider sending Sir Murray MacLehose a personal message stressing the importance of getting significantly better terms and making the point that if we fail to do so and there are further cuts in the defence budget it might well lead to further cuts in the size of the garrison, which would involve a considerable risk.

I am sending a copy of this letter to Stephen Barrett (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) and to other Private Secretaries of members of OPD. A copy also goes to Chris Brearley (Cabinet Office).

J.F. Mayne, Esq., Ministry of Defence.

مسرح

SECRET : UK EYES A

Buick

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