HC Deb 20 December 1966 vol 738 cc1152-4
2. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his latest visit to Hong Kong.

7. Mr. Blaker

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Hong Kong.

8. Mr. A. Royle

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Hong Kong.

Mr. Frederick Lee

On my second visit to Hong Kong, I reached an understanding that the colony would pay an increased contribution over the next four years towards the costs of British troops stationed there. This will now amount to £4.525 million a year towards the recurrent and capital costs. Hong Kong will also undertake some responsibilities for military works which will raise the total of their assistance to defence costs to £5 million a year.

These arrangements are acceptable to Her Majesty's Government. It has not been easy for Hong Kong with their great social problems to increase their defence contribution. We are grateful for the understanding they have shown of our problems. We have recognised their difficulties and I think we have reached a fair settlement.

Mr. Rankin

Is my right hon. Friend convinced that the expenditure of this money is justified in view of the fact that these troops have little military value, but have only a civilian potential, as has been shown already in Hong Kong? Does he think that it is really necessary, as the United States maintains in the harbour of Hong Kong the most powerful naval presence in the Far East?

Mr. Lee

Certainly it is the opinion of the Hong Kong Government and Her Majesty's Government that these troops are necessary, and in my discussions with a great many people in Hong Kong they all seemed to think so too.

Mr. Blaker

In case it may be suggested from some quarters that Hong Kong should contribute even more than the £5 million mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman, will the Secretary of State confirm that in contrast with most colonies and with many Commonwealth countries. Hong Kong receives and has for some time received no grant-in-aid from Her Majesty's Government?

Mr. Lee

The hon. Gentleman is quite right.

Mr. A. Royle

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how much Hong Kong is contributing towards the upkeep of the garrison, apart from direct payments and building programmes?

Mr. Lee

This is the total that the Hong Kong Government have agreed to pay towards British troops there. They have, of course, their own battalion as well, as the hon. Gentleman knows. This is an increase from £1.5 million a year which they agreed to pay in 1958. They also agreed to pay £6 million over six years for work costs and so on, which is about £1 million a year. All this is now commuted into the £5 million which I have mentioned.

Mr. Thorpe

I was in Hong Kong on the occasion of the Secretary of State's first visit. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these money-raising visits of his, which seem to be the only object of any Minister of this Government visiting Hong Kong, are producing increasing cynicism? Does he not think that, although this is an important matter, he might make a third visit to see that there is representation for those whom he is seeking to tax?

Mr. Lee

I do not wish at this stage to enter into a constitutional argument about Hong Kong. I think the hon. Gentleman knows one or two of the slight problems which are involved in that.

Mr. Rankin

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of these answers, I shall try to pursue the matter on the Adjournment.