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DOP Note 706/70
Draft Continued)
size of the Hong Kong Garrison could be reduced nor the requirement
for a unit to be available in Singapore for reinforcing the Colony
cancelled.
therefore required for Hong Kong commitments during the period
under review.
Two major units from Far East Command (FEC) are
31. Malaysia. The protective security commitment of the Gurkha
battalion in Penang will end when the Garrison and families leave
the island, which under existing plans is due to be in August 1971.
As Penang is an isolated station we do not consider it acceptable
to detach the battalion on unaccompanied service without first
closing the Garrison. The time factor involved in effecting this
would be likely to be:
a.
b.
view.
1 month to obtain political agreement from Malaysia.
3 months to close the Garrison from a military point of
Therefore, even if these timings ran concurrently the battalion
would not be available to leave Penang before late November 1970.
32. Singapore. The protective security task in Singapore has
been assessed as requiring 2 major units. A third unit is required
for contingencies including the reinforcement of Hong Kong. There
is no reserve available in the area to meet a second contingency.
However, in the light of the current stability in both Singapore
and Hong Kong, we consider it would be acceptable to reduce the
protective security commitment in Singapore to one major unit.
Thus with one commando at present in Hong Kong, one Gurkha battalion
and the Commando Light Regiment available in Singapore for
protective duties and theatre reserve, it would be possible to
make the second commando available in September 1970 for temporary
unaccompanied service in Northern Ireland. A suggested deployment
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