CC/56/4-11/1
་
From: Mr C.A. Whitmore
reference: DS8/39/8
reference:
SECRET
Page 1 of 2 Pages
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Main Building, Whitehall, LONDON S.W.I
01-930 7022 Ext 6214
Telephone: TRAKTORXXIX
(138) on
HWB, 10/9
ड्र
9
со
HWB 10/91/57
HWA 10/9/
5 February 1969
1. You will recall that when the DOPC discussed the Hong Kong garrison last May they also considered the proposal, originally put by the Governor to the Chiefs of Staff, that a detachment of fighter aircraft should be stationed in the Colony. The Committee approved the proposal subject to the further examination of the possibility that these aircraft might be manned and serviced from local resources. Subsequently the Commander-in-Chief Far East was asked to carry out a detailed study of how the DOPC's decision should be implemented. As you will know, the Chiefs of Staff Committee have now approved (COS 3/69) CINCFE's report and in doing so, they invited us to take up with you the question of the costs of the detachment.
2. I take it you will have seen CINCFE's report which was 57 circulated as an enclosure to COS 1717/7/10/68. This examined two alternative methods of maintaining the detachment and concluded by recommending a scheme involving the maximum use of the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company: CINCFE's proposal was supported by the Governor of Hong Kong. The costs of the scheme have been estimated at £335,000 per annum. This figure represents the total annual running costs, including all local costs, of a detachment of five Hunters with three in reserve. Although there is no direct reference in COS 3/69 to how long the Hunter squadron would be retained in Hong Kong, the Chiefs of Staff have previously stated that as regards purely military and technical considerations the force could be sustained until about 1975, by which time the situation would have to be reviewed.
3. We said last May in OPD (68) 32 that if a Hunter force was stationed in Hong Kong we should also have to provide part of an 33RAF Regiment Squadron to protect the associated ground installations. HQ Far East Air Force have since reviewed this requirement and now take the view that it will not in fact be necessary to station RAF Regiment personnel in the Colony solely because of the presence of the Hunters there. This has of course helped to keep the costs down.
/4.
LAST
HWBIO
21
1310/9/138
R&R.
D.A. Campbell Esq
Defence Policy Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London S.W.1.
SEGRET
SECRET
Air Plans 2 DS 1 DS 9
Hidden copies to:
DS 11
F1b (Air) F6t (Air) F1 (AD)
CCB1 (Air)
pied B
HKK N/
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No.31 10 FEB 1969
FKK 10/5