TNAG-0588-FCO40-721-Publications-on-Hong-Kong-affairs-in-UK-Fabian-Society-pamph-1976 — Page 47

COVERING CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Male Mr Larmour

PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts draft to issue

19/2.

MP'S LETTER: FABIAN SOCIETY PAMPHLET ON HONG KONG

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1.

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Mr Tam Dalyell (Labour, West Lothian) wrote to Lord Goronwy-Roberts on 27 January on two points arising from the recent Fabian Society pamphlet on Hong Kong.

2.

Mr Dalyell asks if there is a case for setting up an enquiry into conditions in Hong Kong. Some reasons for not appointing such a Commission were given in para. 6 of Mr Milton's submission of

23 January 1976. I think that these remain valid.

3.

Mr Dalyell also questions the need for maintaining British Forces in Hong Kong. The argument that Hong Kong's defence contribution would be better spent on social programmes was rebutted by the Hong Kong Government itself when presenting the Defence Costs Agreement to the public in Hong Kong. I suggest that we should answer Mr Dalyell along the same lines.

4.

I submit a draft reply. MOD concur.

4 February 1976

Mille

PL O'Keeffe

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.

PJEMAL

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