NAVY
SECRET
with
HONG KONG
Background Note.
The increases in the post-1971 Garrison are indicated below
(the precise details should not be revealed): -
Present Garrison
Post-1971 Garrison
3 Coastal Minesweepers
ARMY 6 Major Army Units
RAF
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63
6 Whirlwind Helicopters (to be increased to 10 in April 1970).
2.
5 Coastal Minesweepers 2 Frigates
7 Major Army Units
10 Whirlwind Helicopters
Any further reinforcement of the Garrison (including air rison (including air
cover) will be provided as necessary
[Only to be need
om the U.K.
3. The role of the Garrison in Hong Kong is to maintain internal
security and provide a screen along the frontier with China.
4. Hong Kong is obviously indefensible against full-scale
attack e.g. from China (which we have no reason to expect).
That is the position now: it will not be any different after
1971:
5. Hong Kong's vulnerable position, although widely appreciated
in informed circles, is a matter on which Ministers in particular
should
go far as possibic avoid public comment, since their
utterances can have adverse repercussions on confidence in the
Colony if reported there. The Minister could if required use
the information in paragraph 2 and his address is to be delivered
if
in circumstances in which it will not be reported, he could if necessary speak along the lines of paragraphs 3 and 4.
SECRET