E.
Hong Kong
UK EYES ONLY
SECRET
Part I to COS 16th Meeting/68 12th March 1968
SIR CIRLES ELWORTHY said that they would have seen a progress report (15) on the study (16) being prepared by the Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Policy) on the long-
term policy for Hong Kong and he would invite the Commander- in-Chief, Far East, to give his comments.
GENERAL CARVER said that it was most important to obtain a decision on the size of the garrison in the long term which, in his opinion, must be 7 2/3rds major units, representing 6 battalions and 1 2/3rds supporting arms. Planning in Hong Kong, with particular reference to accommodation, could not proceed until this decision had been made. The present situation was relatively calm and under these circumstances he was planning to restore the garrison to 6 2/3rds major units but this would only obtain so long as there was a capability for quick reinforcement by an additional battalion from within the Far East Command. The situation in Hong Kong was likely to deteriorate over the next 10 years. China was channelling her exports through Singapore via Chinese ports to an increasing extent thereby reducing her dependence on Hong Kong. This could allow her to increase external pressure on the Colony and could also result in unemployment difficulties and a reduction of business activity within the Colony. It was therefore essential to have adequate security forces at immediate readiness and he considered that, at a minimum, there was a need for two battalions in Kowloon, one battalion on Hong Kong Island, and three battalions in the New Territories. It would be irresponsible to accept anything less than 7 2/3rds major units after we had withdrawn from Singapore and Malaysia, and were dependent on reinforcement from the United Kingdom. He also considered it necessary to reduce the burden of a large number of families.
Returning to the question of accommodation, GENERAL CARVER said that existing facilities were adequate only for 6 2/3rds major units. 1st April 1970, when Hong Kong became a separate command, would be a suitable date for restoration of the size of garrison to 7 2/3rds units but adequate accommodation would not be ready by that time. He therefore intended to retain one Gurkha battalion at Penang until the end of 1971 by which time accommodation should be available for the additional 2,000 Gurkhas and their families within the Colony, provided the decision to build a new barracks for one battalion was taken very soon. Provision of this accommodation should be given priority over any other requirements.
SIR CHARLES ELWORTHY said that they would agree that the land force requirements must have priority and agreement to a garrison of 7 2/3rds major units could be assumed. He felt however that there might be some opposition to the proposed increase in naval and air forces.
Note:
15. COS 1181/8/3/68.
16.
Cos 1133/23/2/68, Annex A, Serial 157(1).
11
SECRET
UK EYES ONLY