CONFIDENTIAL
7.
I note Tom's comment that if we produced
suggestions for other out of area savings he would feel
bound to pocket these savings and withdraw the patrol craft from Hong Kong. That short circuits the exercise which I had set in hand in the hope of finding a compromise. In view of the political and military considerations set out above, I hope that it will be possible for us to agree now that funding should be made available for the retention of two patrol craft in Hong Kong after 1992, if necessary by finding offsetting savings from our other out of area commitments, including in Hong Kong. I would not wish to make light of
Tom King's budgetary pressures. But equally I think it vital that we give proper weight to the wider interests I have identified.
8.
Copies of this minute go to the Defence Secretary, the Chief Secretary and Sir Robin Butler.
W
TH.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
19 July 1991
CONFIDENTIAL
(DOUGLAS HURD)
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