TNAG-0544-FCO40-639-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 43

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SECRE.

11.

H.E. said that it was clear that detailed discussions

on these lines could not be taken further at present. The Minister said that he was not clear how far any of the proposals could sugar the pill. He had hoped that it would be possible to announce some land releases that could take place during the agreement or shortly after it. HKG would have to be

responsible for any reprovisioning involved, outside the Defence Agreement, but land releases would presumably be welcome to Hong Kong and he hoped that the UK side would be

given due credit in the negotiations for their willingness

to move on this.

12.

H.E. said that a planning excerise would be required in respect of the release of land. It may be possible to

reach a view fairly quickly on Kai Tak, but Stonecutters Island was a more difficult question that depended on the

reprovisioning of the explosives depot and it was very ́doubtful if this could be settled quickly. Something could

be made of the Victoria Barracks/Tamar proposal but it would be devoid of impact in the present agreement because it was too much of a long term project.

13.

H.E. and the Minister agreed to meet for a personnel discussion at 2.30pm.

SECRET