WAR OFFICE,
WHITEHALL,
LONDON, S.W.I.
(226)
I
CIGS/BM/8068
My bear Sock
573758
بیرونی
May, 1958.
Additional Artillery Units for Hong Kong.
I am concerned that we shall not be able to meet the wish of the Governor of Hong Kong and get the first of the two additional Artillery Regiments to Hong Kong by next September. We have to warn the unit and fix up the movement by sea. We have now only the bare minimum period of four months and must, therefore, have a decision within the course of the next few days.
The negotiations on the provision of the additional two Artillery Regiments has been going on for a considerable time, and I am glad to see that Sir Robert Black's latest telegram (No. 350 of 25th April) puts forward new proposals which seem to me to be promising and ones on which we should be able to come to a decision fairly easily.
The War Office feel that the views of the Governor in paragraph 4 give us an opportunity of separating the question of additional units from the lands negotiations, without prejudicing the War Office position on the lands question.
I am sure we should seize on this opportunity and I should be grateful if you would do all you can to get a decision.
Sir John Macpherson, GCMG,
Permanent Under Secretary of State for
the Colonies,
Colonial Office,
The Church House,
Great Smith Street,
Page 189
London
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Dear Campbell,
قلعه
THE WAR OFFICE of 283
LONDON S.W.1.
6th May, 1958.
The terms of Telegram No. 350 from the Governor of Hong Kong to the Colonial Office gives us the opportunity of making some progress on the vexed question of the additional units for the Hong Kong Garrison by agreeing to treat the lands issue separately.
It is quite clear that the views of the War Office and of the Governor on the terms on which we will be prepared to make W.D. Lot No. 5 available for civilian development are still poles apart and that there is no prospect of a comprehensive deal. This view is reinforced by the Admiralty attitude on their lands as set out in Battersby's letter to Melville of 2nd May.
I would, therefore, recommend that you take up the offer contained in paragraph 5 of the Governor's telegram No. 350 and reach an agreement with the Governor on the basis of :-
(a)
The continued payment of the annual Defence Contribution of 16 million dollars.
(b) The payment of an additional contribution of 4 million
dollars a year in respect of each of the additional major units temporarily stationed in the Colony.
Discussion on the lands issue can then continue separately.
I am copying this letter to Radice, Battersby and Locke.
(163)
Yours sincerely,
A. Campbell, Esq.,
use,
Colonial Office,
PThe Choroh
Gt. Smith Street,
LONDON, S.W.1.
(T. A. G. CHARLTON)
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