SECRETARY OF STATES TOUR OF THE FAR ZAST
January/February 1973
HONG KONG FESTIVAL 1973
BRIEF NO HK 13
1.
The festival is sponsored by the Hong Kong Government and is held every
It consists of processions, shows and displays in which schools,
clubs, voluntary organisations, commercial firms and Government departments
take part. It has been customary for the Services to participate.
two years.
2. British Forces Hong Kong have undertaken to stare a tattoo in the Hong Kong
Stadium from 24 to 27 Tovember 1973. Ball use will be made of all units at
the disposal of CBF, but, in addition, the following teams and units from the
UK have been requested:
2.
RM Band
b.
Two R field gun teams
C.
Royal Signals motor cycle team
d.
Red Arrows aerobatic team
3.
cost.
e.
RAP Continuity Drill Team of the Queen's Colour Squadron
f. King's Troop RHA
In trying to meet these requests we have two problems: availability and
While there is certainly a case for a reasonable contribution from the
IK the use of Defence Votes could not be justified and the extra costs must
therefore be met either by the Hong Kong Government or by the FCO or both.
The Hong Kong Government met all our costs in 1971.
4.
Provided our extra costs are met it looks as if we shall be able to provide
a R Band, the Royal Signals motor cycle display team and, subject to the
availability of suitable training flights the RAP Falcons parachute tean, which
took part in the 1971 Festival. The prohibitive cost of transport would rule