TNAG-0546-FCO40-641-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 46

CONFIDENTIAL

Referenca.....

AUS(GS) 536/75

Sol)

Copies to: APS/S of s

PS/Minister of State PSO/CDS

PS/PUS

Sec/CN3

MA/CGS

PS/CAS

DUS(P)

ACDS(Pol)

ACPL

AUS(D Staff)

AUS(NS AUS(AS)

SECCOS

D of DP(C)

Head of D31

Head of D06 Head of Head of Fi(Air)

DDAC

-Mr. O'Keeffe, FCO

DS20

Mr. Hansford, Treasury Mr. Aggleton, P3A

HONG KONG DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT

The Agreement was at last concluded at noon today when the Minister of State and the Governor of Hong signed the Memorandum of Understanding setting out the details of the financial and other arrangements.

2. The Agreement is to be announced by a written reply to a Parliamentary Question tomorrow morning. This is to be accompanied by a Press Statement to be released in both London and Hong Kong at 1100 hours London time. I attach the text of the Press Statement which has been approved by the Minister of State and should be grateful if you would arrange for this to be issued accordingly. similar statement will be issued by the Hong Kong Government.

3.

I also attach (not for copy addressees) some supplementary material in the form of a Question and Answer brief. If there are any problems in dealing with questions please refer to me.

4. Copies of the Memorandum of Enderstanding and subsidiary documents, which are not to be published, are being circulated separately to those concerned.

A

18 December 1975

R.JANDREW

AUS(GS)

CONFIDENTIAL