CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
BACKGROUND NOTE
Hong Kong
1.
The reinforcement of Hong Kong is one of the largest com-
mitments we have outside Europe. Present contingency plans
include reinforcement by up to four battalions and one brigade
headquarters and for the activation of the stockpile of one
squadron of tanks.
by one battalion,
In August 1971 the garrison is to be increased
As a result the number of reinforcement
battalions will be reduced to three.
2.
•
No details of the increases in the Hong Kong garrison have
been given beyond the statement that it has to be slightly strengthened (Hansard 25 July 1968 Column 1014 - extract attached).
The planned increases are one frigate, 3 mine counter measure
vessels, one battalion and four whirlwind helicopters.
these only the mine counter measure vessels are yet in Hong Kong. Fiji
of
3. Our current commitment to Fiji is also one of the largest
which we have outside Europe, and the present contingency plans
envisage the reinforcement of Fiji with a force up to a Brigade
We have of course made in strength with Naval and air support.
it clear in the past that notwithstanding the withdrawal from Malaysia and Singapore by the end of 1971 we shall maintain our
commitments to our Dependencies. The position with regard to
Fiji is that following Lord Shepherd's visit to that country earlier this month, he has made a statement in House of Lords (Hansard 10th February Column 814 et seq- extract attached) outlining the results of his discussions and confirming that HMG will convene
a Constitutional Conference in Londòn in April. The date now
fixed for this is April 10th. The question of a Defence
Agreement with Fiji after independence was not mentioned in the
report which Lord Shepard brought back with him, and we
believe that the Fijians now realise that this is a non-starter
and will probably not raise it substantively in the constitutional
talks in April. It was not mentioned in the report mainly to
avoid discussion of an item which the Fijians had already
been given to understand would not be acceptable to HMG. Never-
theless the formal position is as set out in Lord Shepherd's
CONFIDENTIAL