SECRET
(covering TOP SECRET annex)
RAF Staging element. RAF Signals element (Tai Mo Shan),
(a) The reduction of the Army element to 5 units
? 5 Hunter air- craft with ground complement ? RAF Regiment (Squadron)
under a Defence
Review decision was postponed because of last year's troubles.
Instead it was reinforced to 7 units at which level it stands
today.
(b) These helicopters were moved to Hong Kong during last year's
troubles and are still there.
20.
The proposed increases are for the most part attributable to
the difficulties we shall have in getting reinforcements to Hong
Kong within acceptable time limits after we shall no longer be
able to provide the necessary backing from Singapore.
particularly true in the case of the naval and air presence (para
6 (a) and (b) of Annex to the paper).
This is
21. The Ministry of Defence see no military case for stationing
fighter aircraft in the Colony once again. They talk in terms of
occasional visits to the Colony by Phantom aircraft from our
general capability after such visits can no longer be mounted
from Singapore. The Governor, on the other hand, has argued
strongly that on political grounds a more permanent form of air
cover is required to maintain local morale and prevent intrusion
of Hong Kong air space. This has been the subject of correspondence
between the Commonwealth Secretary and Defence Secretary in
which the Foreign Secretary has joined. The political arguments
are summarised in paras 6 and 7 of the Speaking Notes above.
One aspect is covered in a Top Secret Annex to this brief.
22. During his recent visit the Governor suggested to the Chiefs
SECRET
(covering TOP SECRET annex)
/of