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the need could be met by earmarking a battalion in the UK able
to deploy to Hong Kong within 7 days.
5.
The RN maintain a frigate and 5 minesweepers at Hong Kong;
RAF force levels are 8 Wessex helicopters and a Flight and
Section of the RAF Regiment.
Hong Kong Defence Contribution
6.
Following
Traditionally Hong Kong has made a contribution to HMG
towards the cost of its defence and of the assistance which
Her Majesty's Forces provide for internal security.
prolonged negotiations with the Hong Kong Government, the
settlement described below was reached in October 1971. The
Ministry of Defence accept that the average of £8 million per
annum is the most which could have been obtained from Hong Kong,
although it represented less than a third of the cost of the
garrison at that time. At current prices estimated annual cost
of the garrison for 1973/74 is £34 million and the average over
the next 10 years is assessed at £36 million (in functional cost
terms).
7. The present contribution:
£40 million spread over 5 years,
starting 1 April 1971, made up as follows:
Cash contribution
Capital works
Maintenance and minor
works
£12 million (at £2.4 million
per year)
£17 million (£2.9 million for the
first and second years, £3.4 million
for the third and £3.9 million for
the fourth and fifth years).
£11 million (2.2 million per year)
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