TNAG-0543-FCO40-638-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 204

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12.

The draft Memorandum of Understanding provides for them to carry out

the works programme and abate the cost from their contribution, the balance

of which will fall to be paid in cash. The M of U indicates that maintenance

is to be to standards specified by the UK authorities, but as regards capital

works the draft provides for the UK and Hong Kong Governments to agree a

programme "to provide adequate facilities for the garrison and to facilitate

the release of land surplus to the requirements of the garrison." It would

appear that the Hong Kong authorities may be taking the reference to an agreed

programme (and the fact that they are expected to contribute at least 50% of

its cost) to mean that they are now co-determinants of the programme content in

a way they have never claimed during the running time of the present Agreement.

13. Given an equal voice in determining programme content, the Hong Kong

authorities would be most interested in removing those projects which were

directed to releasing land, whereas we would perforce have to give pride of place

to providing facilities for the garrison. It so happens that some of the projects

currently envisaged secure both objectives, but this is fortuitous and may not

hold good in all circumstances.

14. In response to feelers from the Governor and from CBF aimed at securing

as part and parcel of the forthcoming negotiations, the establisment of local

machinery to control the works programme, we have taken the line that:

a.

the business of establishing procedures to control the

works programme shou not bedevil negotiation of the Agreement

itself, but should form a separate and subsequent process

b. complete delegation of programme content to a Command

is notconsistent with MOD's and PSA's financial responsibilities

15..

might:-

It is suggested that in the forthcoming negotiations the Minister