TNAG-2239-FCO40-3218-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 100

PM

has decided

24/6

HMEOLDAY. My Coglin

CONFIDENTIAL

FROM: M S BAKER-BATES

Содей

Jp/w HK garnson,

codfatio craft

(para lo y dift

(ette)

SOUTH ATLANTIC & ANTARCTIC DEPARTMENT

DATE : 14 June 1991

An

19/ni

Mr Beamish

cc: PS/Mr Garel Jones

Sir A Watts

Mr Goulden

Mr Burns

PS/Lord Caithness

PS

PS/PUS

Sir J Coles

Mr Broomfield

Mr Dowse, NPDD

Mr Cox, HKD

Mr Baker, WIAD Special Advisers

Mr Hawkins, News Dept

HMS ENDURANCE

Problem

1.

The Defence Secretary has proposed that an

announcement should be made before 24 June about the withdrawal of HMS ENDURANCE from its work in the South

Atlantic and Antarctic. How should we respond?

Recommendation

A

2.

I recommend that the Secretary of State should reply to Mr King in the terms of the attached draft minute which proposes postponement of the announcement and Ministerial discussion both about the future of HMS

ENDURANCE and the related question of defence obligations towards Dependent Territories. Sir A Watts, Mr Goulden, Hong Kong Department and WIAD concur.

CONFIDENTIAL