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UK EYES A
DRAFT DOPC PAPER
DEFENCE REVIEW: 'ONG KONG
At their meeting on 9 September (OPD(74) 14th Keeting,
Item 3), Ministers decidea that our forces in Hong Kong should
be reduced and maintained without an assured rapid reinforcement
capability, and that Hong Kong should be asked to contribute
not less than three quarters of the cost of the smaller garrison.
At their further meeting on 18 September (OPD(74) 15th Meeting)
they directed that officials should prepare briefs on that basis
but should also examine the possibility that Hong Kong's share
of the cost would not exceed one half. Officials have accordingly
held meetings in Hong Kong and London with the Governor and his
official advisers.
Timing of an Agreement
2. It will be difficult for the Hong Kong Government, which is now heavily involveu in the 1975/76 budget, to complete negotiations
on a new Defence Agreement until about May. The Agreement would
enter into force in April 1976 when the present one expires.
Force levels and costs.
3. The present garrison consists of 63 teeth-urm units/
battalions together with small RN and RAF elements. The cost
is about £50M a year at Estimates 1975/76 prices (this equals the figure of £42M at 1974 Survey prices quoted in OPD(74)31). Military
advice is that in the present internal and external circumstances
of Hong Kong the Army element of the garrison could be reduced to about 53 units, without a rapid reinforcement capability. The
revised cost of a reuuced garrison on this basis would be about £40 a year (Estimates 1975/76 prices). Details are at Annex.
The Governor of Hong Kong agrees in principle with this
level of forces, and the discussions have revealed no substantial
disagreement on the costs, apart from the possibility of excluding
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UK EYES A