TNAG-0543-FCO40-638-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 50

161

Written Answers

Hong Kong

21 OCTOBER 1975

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles asked the Secretary of State for Defence what dis- cussions he has had concerning the share, of the cost of the Hong Kong garrison to be borne by the Hong Kong Govern. ment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. William Rodgers : As fore- shadowed in the Defence White Paper, we are continuing to discuss with the Hong Kong Government the future garrison and ¦ its financing after the expiry of the present cost-sharing agreement next year. I am visiting Hong Kong later this month and shall be having further talks on this subject.

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost per head to public funds of flying Service personnel on leave from Hong Kong to Khatmandu in Royal Air Force aircraft.

Mr. John : The current operating cost per head is £39-45 single and £78-90

return.

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied with the security arrangements at Royal Air Force Kai Tak, Hong Kong, to meet the circumstances of any emergency.

Mr. John: Yes: Commander British Forces Hong Kong has adequate plans to cater for the security of RAF Kai Tak.

Weapons and Equipment (Standardisation)

Mr. Russell Johnston asked the Sccre- - tary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the United States Government on the standardisation of weaponry within NATO.

Mr. Mason: I discussed the problems of standardisation and the need for a Two-Way Street” between Europe and North America in defence equipment procurement fully with Dr. Schlesinger during his visit in September.

Mr. Russell Johnston asked the Secre- tary of State for Defence what progress was made in his recent talks with the French Defence Minister on the question

› 87 K 16

Cohid & bille

any Kay Acap

Арав

23/10

162

Written Answers of the standardisation of equipment within NATO,

Mr. Mason: We had a valuable and wide-ranging discussion of ways of achieving greater standardisation by joint collaborative programmes in defence equipment and through reciprocal pur- "chases. We also discussed the important rôle which European defence industries have to play in the production of standardised equipment for NATO.

Middle East

Mr. Russell Johnston asked the Secre- tary of State for Defence what recent dis- cussions he has had with the United States Government on the build-up of arma- ments in the Middle East.

Mr. Mason: The Government are, of course, in constant touch with the United States Government on all matters affecting the Middle East.

NATIONAL FINANCE

Income Tax Thresholds

Mr. Ralph Howell asked the Chancel- lor of the Exchequer what would be the loss in revenue if tax thresholds were raised to the same relationship with the national average wage as was the case in 1949-50.

Mr. Robert Sheldon: About £5,300 million.

Christmas Party (EEC Civil Servants' Children)

Mr. Marten asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why Her Majesty's Gov- ernment representatives in Brussels agreed to the spending of £20,000 of EEC public money on a Christmas party for the children of EEC civil servants; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Joel Barnett: All EEC Govern- ments, including Her Majesty's Govern- ment, agreed to provision in the 1975 Community Budget for expenditure on Christmas festivities as a sinff welfare benefit which has been traditionally extended in conformity with nccepted practice of many large employers in Community countries,

(320

i