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(e) the Gurkha soldier's possible feeling of
isolation if he were not in contact with other UK teeth arms;
(f) consideration by the Army Board, if, at the end
of the day, it was thought that a UK Infantry Regiment was to be disbanded, whilst a Gurkha Battalion was to be retained;
(g) the reduced opportunity for overseas service for
UK Infantry Battalions.
Against these consideration are the economies that Gurkha soldiers undeniably provide, particularly in the spheres of pay, airtrooping and the Nepalese orientated education, where the secondary school element and teachers pay are much lower. It would not however be possible for Gurkha and Chinese soldiers to provide all their own support services. (e.g. REME, RMP) and if they were to be trained in these duties, the cost would probably fall to the Hong Kong Government. So the overall annual saving in adopting the 'all Gurkha ' illustration is thought to be only about £3m.
22.
Mr. Davies remarked that the frigate had never under taken an operational commitment. Commodore Perowne suggested that this could be taken in either of two ways
er the frigate was not needed, or it was a completely effective deterrent which should be retained.
23.
In concluding Mr. Davies asked in what forum the level of the Garrison should now be considered, particularly since the Hong Kong Government had not yet been formally approached by HMG. There was also a danger of an impasse as HMG had requested that 75% of the Garrison's cost be borne by Hong Kong, and the Governor had suggested the figure of £17m. as being the upper limit at which he could reasonably approach the Executive Council. After some discussion Mr. Bryars suggested that the question whether the implications of a garrison smaller than 5 2/3 battalions should be explored should be left for further consideration in the light of any further guidance given by UK Ministers after the report of the UK team had been submitted. It was also noted that Mr. Bryars and Commodore Perowne would be seeing the Governor before they left when the future timetable etc., would be discussed.
Security Branch,
Colonial Secretariat, Hong Kong.
1800 hrs. 10th January 1975.
c seeRET
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