Our reference: Your reference:
DS11/6/7
TOP SECRET
copy NO. 1 of 6 copies
60
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Main Building, Whitehall, LONDON S.W.1 Telephone: WHitehall 7022, ext. 2971
HWB10/9
6 November, 1967
ISPECIAL CARE
시
Dear Camara
UNACCOMPANIED SERVICE IN HONG KONG
- 8 NOV 1967
←
You will doubtless recall that the Chiefs of Staff discussed a number of questions relating to the Hong Kong Garrison at their meeting on 24th October, at which the Commander in Chief Far East was present. In particular the Chiefs of Staff invited the Army Department to prepare a paper on the problem of whether the garrison of Hong Kong should remain on an accompanied basis as at present or should gradually change to unaccompanied tours.
2. It is now apparent that this paper will not be ready for
consideration until some time in the New Year. This means that
an ad hoc decision will need to be taken in advance on whether the UK Battalion due to go out as a relief next June should be
accompanied or unaccompanied (we give six months notice of un-
accompanied postings and will have to make our minds up by the
middle of December). The Army Department are accordingly preparing an interim paper directedly solely at this question.
3. They have come to me for advice on a number of questions on which I in turn must seek Commonwealth Office and Foreign Office views:-
a. Can we take it that you agree with the Governor's assessment that the piecemeal introduction of unaccompanied service would not affect confidence in Hong Kong? In this connection it is presumably the first move that is the critical one.
b. Is there any danger that action of this kind would be taken by the Communists in Hong Kong (or in China) as a sign of lack of resolution? How in fact might it affect their appreciation of the situation: might it encourage them to increase their pressure? Once again it is presumably the first move that is the critical one.
C. Do you envisage any unfortunate effects on the morale of those British civilian families that stay behind (I draw a distinction here between the British community and the population of the Colony at large)? The Army Department
A. W. Gaminara, Esq
Hong Kong and West Indian Department
Commonwealth Office
Curtis Green Building
TOP SECRET
/will
Room 104
R&R please.
7.11.67