SECRET
ANNEX A to DP 31/70(C) (Draft) (Continued)
undesirable if it can be avoided.
Not only may there be
political objections to double earmarking these battalions for
this purpose but also the practical constraints lead to difficulties including short notice for movement and training limitations.
18. In principle, therefore, we believe that the Hong Kong garrison shoudl be maintained at a permanent strength of 73 major units. This will require the retention of a fifth Gurkha battalion which has been agreed (3) in principle because of the overall shortage of infantry battalions. Only if
financial constraints were to outweigh the need for the contin- unation of the fifth Gurkha battalion and lead to the necessity of reducing the Brigade of Gurkhas to four battalions would we advocate, as a fall back position, the reductions of the Hong King garrison to 63 major units and the use of double earmarking the Singapore and Brunei battalions as an immediate reinforcement
for Hong Kong.
CONCLUSIONS
19. We conclude that after 1971 the strength of the Hong Kong
garrison could be:
either 7 major units.
Notes: 3.
COS 21st meeting 15/7/70
Α
10
SECRET