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Tresany Carciling 1. Defence E-CASECRET
MPBW Sprethan R.H.A.
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britfetis
B.
2/10
Draft Letter to Governor, Hong Kong, from FCO
ANNEX B
Your proposals for Hong Kong's defence contribution after
April, 1971, as set out in your letter of 7 July, have now been
discussed with the Ministry of Defence, the Treasury and the
Ministry of Public Building and Works.
2. Although the extent of our Far Eastern presence has not yet
been finally decided we think that it is sensible to discuss your
proposals on the assumption of an Army Garrison comprising
6 major units. This follows from a recent assessment made by the Commander, British Forces, Hong Kong, in consultation with you,
that provided
(a) the situation on the border remains reasonably stable;
(b) the internal threat in Hong Kong does not significantly
increase; and
(c) the strength of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force continues
to expand;
the reinforcement time for an extra major unit could be extended
from 72 hours to seven days. This removes the requirement for an
extra unit to be stationed in the Colony as had previously been
intended. The remainder of the Garrison has been assumed to be as
shown in Annex A to my letter of 9 October, 1969, except that the
RAF Whirlwinds were increased in number from six to ten earlier
rearsed running costo The amex to this letter shows the reduced coeting-
this year.
(Excluding Works)
of the Garrison in 1971/72 and replaces the information that we
gave you in 1969.)
3. There are two points in relation to your proposals on which
we should be grateful for clarification.
(a) Capital Works
SECRET
The main reasons for the increase in costs in spite of the reduction in the numbs of Army units are first, the increased Cost of the new Service pay structure introduced last Apost. and second, the fact that it has recently been found possible to bring the Army units in ore Colony up to strength - a development: which was not
allowed for. Last year.