TNAG-0542-FCO40-637-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 97

1

SEORET

DRAFT TELEGRAM FROM FCO TO GOVERNOR

We have consulted Departments on the points raised in your telegram 924 and replies

are as follows:

Your Para 1.

We confirm that the revised costing produced by HQBF is acceptable subject

to some very minor points of which HQBF are aware. As this is only a rough

update we prefer to talk in terms of a garrison costing about 450 million dollars

at September 1975 prices. Despite the difficulties it will present at this end,

we are attempting to provide a detailed revision of the costing before the end

of October, but some loose ends may remain. A further minor revision, which need

not affect the substance of the neogtiations, may be necessary in November/December.

The revised costing will be produced in both sterling and dollars. We are content

for dollars to be used as the common currency for future discussions in Hong Kong,

Your Para 2

Your forewarning is appreciated.

Your Para 3

The figure for capital works referred to in (A) is of course £3M and we

consider that the minimum and maximum figures should be £2.5M and £3.5M respectively.

worlds maintenance Expenditure which show MOD is separately discussing with HQBF current estimates of/significant increases

Cleur cuts

over earlier forecasts. The major elemtas of the works programme will be:-

a.

alterations to 3 barracks to accommodate new occupants; 2 of these

projects will when complete enable the release of Shamshimpo, Argyle Street

and Chatham Road Camps.

SECRET