TNAG-0546-FCO40-641-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 52

CONFIDENTIAL

MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE

WHITEHALL LONDON SW1A 2HB

D/MIN/WR/8/7 a

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Telephone XIX9X0X7X1X2

15 thand forming Robert

Ph Dale

Dear Patrick,

8219/12

01 218 7112

18 December 1975

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HONG KONG DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT

1671

You will recall that in your letter of 28 November to John Mayne you asked the Defence Secretary to ensure that his OPD colleagues were informed of the terms in which it was proposed to announce the Agreement.

As you know, difficulty subsequently arose about the timing of the announcement because of the Governor's concern that this should not coincide with a separate announcement of any measures to impose restrictions on exports from Hong Kong. This has now been resolved in the light of the MES decisions and the Chancellor's statement in the House yesterday. The Governor has accordingly agreed to our proposal to announce the Defence Costs Agreement on 19 December and I enclose the text of the written Parliamentary Answer which Mr Rodgers will be making tomorrow. This will be accompanied by a press release at 11 am, the text of which I also enclose. A similar press statement will be issued in Hong Kong at the same time.

I am copying this letter and its enclosures to the Private Secretaries of OPD members, of the Secretaries of State for Industry and for Trade and of Sir John Hunt.

Yove wer

Chis Sundars

(C T Sandars)

Private Secretary

to the Rt Hon William Rodgers MP

P R H Wright Esq

Private Secretary to the Prime Minister

CONFIDENTIAL