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96
Part I to COS 31st Meeting/70 16 September 1970
EXTRACT MON 0.05. (70) 31ST NING HELD 16/9
ITEM 3.
1...
•
REINFORCEMENT OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON
SIR CHARLES ELWORTHY said that the Chiefs of Staff had earlier concluded (1) (2) (3) that a force level of 7} major units would be necessary in Hong Kong following our withdrawal from Singapore. On their instructions (4) the Defence Policy Staff, in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, had examined the effect of a continuing land force presence in Singapore and Brunei upon the size of the Hong Kong garrison. Their report (5) was before them. The present permanent garrison was 63 major units with a planned reinforcement of an extra major unit from within the theatre within 72 hours. However, the Commander British Forces Hong Kong, in consultation with the Governor had assessed (6) that in the light of changed conditions the reinforcement time for the extra major unit could be extended from 72 hours to 7 days, provided both the boarder situation and the internal threat remained stable, and that the strength
In view of this of the police continued to increase. assessment (6) the paper (5) concluded that post-1971 the permanent garrison should be 63 major units with an extra unit normally being provided from the United Kingdom within 7 days.
2.
In discussion, the following points were made:
a.
It was agreed to accept the paper (5) and to forward it to the Secretary of State for his approval. It was noted that, subject to approval by the Secretary of State, opportunity would be taken to include reference to the new Hong Kong force levels for the information of other Ministers in one of the other papers now being prepared such as the future of the Brigade of Gurkhas.
Subject to the agreement of the Secretary of State their decision would mean the cancelling of plans for the building of Erskin Barracks in Hong Kong.
Minute
Notes:
•
2.
COS 20th Meeting/68, Minute 2.·
COS 21st Meeting/68, Minute 102.
3. COS 23/68.
4.
5.
COS 28th Meeting/70, Minute 125. DP 31/70 (Final).
6... Hong Kong Signal RTT 671 from CBF to CDS
of 2902552 Aug. 1.
DP14/393/4
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