SECRET UK A
200
*
PP Jota 201 (75(0) (Revised Dectul (Continued)
Other withdrawal plans are not likely to be affected, provided
the roulement due in February 1976 is included in the Gurkha
trooping contract.
8. Hong Kong Final agreement on the size of the future 'reduced' garrison will not be reached until at least May 1979.5
However, in the interests of achieving the critical level of
defence expenditure the Hong Kong garrison should be reduced
to the Chiefs of Staff's recommended level, including 53 teeth
em units, (8) by 1 April 1976. Airlift availsbility end obler
withdrawals require the reductions to be made in the first
quarter of 1976 and key dates have been chosen accordingly.
CBF Hong Kong should be invited to submit his outline proporale,
9.
Singanore
Although it may be necessary to leave up to 50
men to assist in setting up the New Zealand logistic organizedzi on
after the main body of United Kingdom forces have vithden), de
reurins HMG's intention otherwiso to complete the withdrawal by
1 April 1976. The total number of personnel including depend "ats
to be repatriated from Singapore is about 6500. It has bout
necessary to advance some of £10 Singapore's proposed key does
by several months to effect the main withdrawal in the period
August-December 1975. All teeth arm units are planned to withderw
by the end of 1975.
Note:
8. COS 19th Meeting/74 Item
5-
SECRET UK EYES A