the relevant costs to defence votes (expressed as savings foregone), allowing for the Hong Kong Government's
subvention on the present basis, (£2.4M pa plus all works
costs) are:
Royal Navy
Numbers
Savings Foregone (SM)
Servicemen Civilians
1978/79 1983/84
Withdraw all naval
forces except for
175
minimal
0.8
0.8
5 Patrol craft
3
and communications
staff.
Army
Reduce from 6 to
51 major units
including Gurkhas.
7,700
2,800
Reduce support
13.0 +9.0
14.0 +१.०
elements
22.0
23.0
proportionately.
Royal Air Force
Retain 8 Wessex
helicopters,
370
270
2.6
2.6
intelligence,
communications and
support facilities.
Less:
Contribution from the Hong Kong
Government enhanced by:
8
8
c. As long as the present tasks of the military forces in Hong Kong remain, their size must be such as will give little scope for substantial savings in costs.
The only
way in which the aim to reduce the cost of our forces can be met will be to persuade the Hong Kong Government to
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SECRET UK EYES A
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