SECRET SECRET
Headquarters British Forces/Land Forces
ATM
2.
Colonel CPR Palmer
Colonel H M Tillotson
W Farrer
Colonel J M C Thornton Major AC Ward
Chief Staff Officer HQ British Forces Colonel GS HQ Land Forces
Command Secretary HQ Land Forces Colonel BG HQ Bde of Gurkhas
GSO 2 Ops HQ Land Forces
The aim of the meetings was not to negotiate any particular level of contribution by the Hong Kong Government but to examine the costings, exchange information and identify issues and options.
AGENDA
3. The agenda is attached at Annex A.
OPENING STATIMENT BY COLONIAL SECRETARY
4. The Colonial Secretary stated that, if the Hong Kong Government is to pay the major part of the cost of the Garrison, they must be in a position to justify, to the Unofficial members of the Legislative Council, all items of expenditure which make up the total. The Unofficials will be less amenable if the cost is tied to a percentage rather than a fixed sum. They will anyway press for detail.
STAGES 1 AND 2
EXPLANATION OF THE PROPOSED FUTURE GARRISON
5. The MOD UK Team explained the costings in as much detail as possible in the time available. Certain questions were asked and answered. These are covered in Annexes B and C.
6. In discussion, the following points in the £41M reduced garrison were noted or identified as being areas in which some adjustment may be made.
7.
a.
b.
C.
Joint Services Intelligence Staff.
Chinese Language School.
Air Trooping. Charges have been assessed a little high in certain years. The element of the Gurkha Lines of Communication in Nepal which can be identified as supporting the Gurkha battalion in UK in 1976/77 and 1977/78.
d.
The following additional matters which fall outside the £41M figure were noted for seperate study by the MOD:
a.
The timings and location for the frigate refit.
8.
b.
The design and replacement costs of the patrol craft.
The following points which had important presentational implications for the Hong Kong Government were noted for joint study by the Hong Kong Government and Headquarters British Forces:
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