TNAG-2675-FCO40-3872-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 86

GOVERMENT HOUSE HONG KONG.

NED 14 APR 93 69:40

PG.10

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NOTES OF MEETING

BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND MR. MALCOLM RIFKIND MP

SECRETARY FOR DEFENCE ON 3 JANUARY 2015

TAB B

Present: Governor, Mr. M. Rifkind MP, PS/Secretary for Defence, CBF, S for S, S for Tsy, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Dinham, Mr. Llewellyn, PS/GH

Defence Costs Agreement

The Governor said that he did not need to go

He wished to into the background of the current problem. make it clear that the administration could not control the Legislative Council. Either supplementary provision would have to be sought or the defence costs would have to be decreased. He appreciated the difficulties facing the MOD in getting the last $220 million in April or March. However there would be little chance of getting supplementary provision from the Legislative Council in February. This might also throw open the question of the DCA. He hoped the MoD could be as flexible as possible

HKG would aim to cover the in receiving the payment.

funds next year provided the total DCA cost was decreasing. It was a case of political judgement at the moment. If HKG had a row with LegCo this February or March, we would receive no support in LegCo which in turn would not be good for the MoD.

2.

surplus.

pay.

3.

Mr. Rifkind commented that Hong Kong had a large

It seemed perverse that HKG was not able to

The Governor replied that we did have a surplus. However it seemed unlikely that we would be able to get LegCo to vote for supplementary provision. In turn, members might also question the need for the Garrison. The public would also not support the case. There might be queries on the need for helicopters, support services for the military, etc. not to revive the question of the DCA. could manage the matter politically if we did not go to Legco for supplementary provision and provided that we could show that the total DCA cost was declining.

4.

He was anxious He thought we

Mr. Rifkind explained that on his side he would

He would have to explain also face financial problems, to the Treasury why he would need supplementary provision on his side. It was likely that he would face the same

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