TNAG-0542-FCO40-637-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 127

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6. I AM CONCERNED BY THE DISCLOSURE IN YOUR TELEGRAM NO 685 THAT THE REFIT OF MERMAID IN HONG KONG (WHICH WOULD BE MUCH CHEAPER AND ATTRACTIVE TO UNOFFICIALS) WOULD LEAVE US WITHOUT A GUARDSHIP FOR ALMOST A YEAR. WOULD THERE BE NO POSSIBILITY OF REINFORCEMENT DURING THE REFIT, OR OF HOLDING CHICHESTER UNTIL THE REFIT OF MERMAID WERE COMPLETE? OR OF SOME

OTHER SOLUTION?

MACLEHOSE

FILES HK10D (3)

DEFENCE D

SWPD

PS

PS/LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS SIR D WATSON

MR LARMOUR

MR SYKES

MR THOMSON

MR MALE

COPIES TO

MR ANDREWS AUS(GS) MOD MR WARD DS6 MOD

MR JE HANSFORD TREASURY MR BRYORS CABINET OFFICE MR P C APPLETON PSA DOE

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