$2
Reference......
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr. Gaminara (Hong Kong Department)
C.C.
Mr. Stephenson (F.E.D. Mr. Ward (S.W.P.D.)
Mr. Urwick (Defence)
•
P
22/0
DP 31/70(Final): Reinforcement of the Hong Kong
Garrison
Please see minute of 11 September by Mr. Gibbon (Head of DS 11, MOD) at ached.
2. You will doubtless also wish to consider whether a decision not to increase the Hong Kong Garrison to a level of 72/3 major units at the end of 1971 should be submitted to Ministers for approval. The decision to increase the Hong Kong Garrison at the end of 1971 was taken by Ministers in the Overseas Policy and Defence Committee (Cabinet) early in 1968.
3. If you think that Ministerial approval is necessary there are 3 ways in whibh it could be done:
(a) parallel submission within the MOD and FCO to Ministers (no outside Ministers being consulted)
(b) minute by Defence Secretary to the Prime Minister, Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer proposing a reduction in the post 1971 force level of the Hong Kong Garrison;
(c) submission of a joint paper to the Defence and Overseas Policy Committee by the Defence Secretary and Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary.
If you agree that reference to Ministers is desirable, I should have thought that course (b) would be the least
cumbersome.
4. Mr. Wilford will be accompanying Mr. Killick to the meeting of the Chiefs of Staff on 16 September when the Hong Kong paper will be discussed. As this point is likely to be raised you may wish to seek his digeriewi.
q
Thoma
(J. Thomas)
14 September 1970 Defence Department.
CONFIDENTIAL