CODE 18-77
SECRET
Reference
ANNEX A TO 101/1730/Encl 1
+
to 100/2 dated 27 Aug 74
HONG KONG
1.
The present garrison consists of a Royal Navy Frigate guard ship, 5 patrol craft the equivalent of 6 2/3 teeth arm units and a small RAF element including 8 Wessex helicopters all with appropriate support. The cost, ie, the amount per annum which would be saved by complete withdrawal and consequent reduction in the overall size of the forces including the complete disbandment of the Brigade of Gurkhas, is £33. This figure excludes the annual contribution of approximately £8M made by the Hong Kong Government under the 1971 agreement ic, the total figure is 41 per annum. The Governor has stated that the minimum garrison to meet the commitment without the assurance of early reinforcement, would be
5 patrol craft, the equivalent of 62/3 teeth arm units (not necessarily of exactly the present composition), and an RAF element including the 8 Wessex helicopters. This assessment is supported by the MOD. The Governor and CBFHK estimate that savings of i would result from those reductions including some support elements, but these can only be confirmed after the force level has been established and detailed discussion has taken place in Hong Kong.
2.
An alternative method of garrisoning Hong Kong, which the Governor would reluctantly accept, would be to reduce the RN and RAF elements as already suggested, to reduce the Army element by one major unit, and to depend upon an early reinforcement capability. This reduction would reduce the stationing costs by a further £3.9M to £24.8M. A major characteristic of civil disturbances in Hong Kong has been the speed with which they erupt and spread. With a reduced garrison the ability to reinforce by at least one battalion within about four days would be essential. option of using the Gurkha battalion in Brunei will have been fore- closed.
The
3. To reinforce Hong Kong in an acceptable timescale with a battalion at light scales requires use of the present Eastabout route, the estabout route being about 60% longer. Without Masirah and Singapore and assuming the use of Akrotiri and Diego Garcia (in place of Gan) only the VC 10 element of the transport force retained at the critical level would be capable of flying the stage lengths. This force could move only 600 men, without any equipment, to Hong Kong in 6 - 8 days.
6- 8 days. This does not meet the Governor's essential requirement and would in addition necessitate the prepositioning of a battalion's vehicles and equipment in Hong Kong at a capital cost of £0.5M.
11. The cost of maintaining the Eastabout route solely for the purpose of reinforcing Hong Kong would be between £4.5M and £7.5. The cost of maintaining a battalion in Hong Kong would be between £1.7M and £3.9M depending on whether it is Gurkha or British. Thus, if the Eastabout route is not to be maintained for reasons other than the reinforcement of Hong Kong, it would be more economical to station an extra battalion there than to keep the route open.
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