TNAG-0940-FCO40-1159-Visits-by-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Ministers-and-officials-t-1980 — Page 54

CONFIDENTIAL

68

никого

MR CLIFT'S VISIT TO HONG KONG: NOVEMBER 1980.

پهله

DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT (DCA)

ملل

4.5.12.

1. The only issue outstanding is the period of retention in

Hong Kong of HMS Scimitar and the two hovercraft.

this week to the latter staying until the end of 1982.

difficulties, however, over Scimitar.

MOD will agree

There are

Hong Kong are prepared at

the moment to let her go in February, subject to review in January;

Hong Kong's main concern is that this should not become public

now so soon after the start of 'Champion' and give the impression

that they are already relaxing. MOD have no great difficulty

over confidentiality but will have to insist on Scimitar's return

in January as one of her two sister ships is going to be in dock

for about 6 months following a collision.

2. The MOD decision on this should have been conveyed to Hong Kong

before you arrive.

Hong Kong and General Department

11 November 1980

CONFIDENTIAL