TNAG-2240-FCO40-3219-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 48

CONFIDENTIAL

Mas

063/1

178

Mr

Mr Sibera Tylio

تم

Mr Borde Mr Morris

07/2

Me, Thijshells: HMD

FROM: P F Ricketts

Hong Kong Department

DATE: 16 October 1991

cc: PS/Lord Caithness

Sir J Coles

Bughs thanque Panito There to пообедаватьчелей Russie with Vicky 566 2 Rohing JZS73 16/2

HONG KONG: GOVERNOR'S CALL ON THE MOD

Mr Smith, NPDD

Mr Cox

My Store.

I attended the Governor's session of talks on 15 October

at the MOD with Sir M Quinlan, CDS, CGS, and many others.

1.

2.

The main points of interest for us were:

Patrol Craft: the Governor emphasized the importance of

keeping them. Sir M Quinlan said that he did not wish to

get into the question of funding, although the MOD had not resiled from their earlier position.

Cost of the Garrison: the Governor skilfully wove into his

presentation on the new LegCo etc the point that there was

now absolutely no question of HKG going back to LegCo for any funding for the Garrison beyond the cost sharing set out

in the DCA. Sir M Quinlan said that it is "not in our

minds" to move off the DCA formula. The things which fell

under the DCA would be covered by the existing cost sharing formula. The Governor made the point that stronger for longer would fall within the DCA: no-one challenged this.

(Comment: it was not clear whether Sir M Quinlan was aware

of the wording on this point in the latest version of the

Chiefs of Staff paper on the Garrison run-down. But on the

face of it his comments are helpful. We also hear that the

MOD are revising this language. We shall still need a firm

BUGACU/1

CONFIDENTIAL

RS

.