SIZE OF THE GARRISON
REDUCTIONS
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
CONTRIBUTION
The Hong Kong garrison presently comprises 5 infantry battalions, an artillery regiment, a squadron
each of armoured cars and
engineers, a frigate and patrol boats, a squadron of helicopters
and appropriate support.
As the House was told on 14 April
agreement has been reached on some early reductions under the present cost sharing agreement.
These include the withdrawal of
an armoured reconnaissance
squadron and an artillery regiment less one battery, the disbandment of an engineer squadron and a transport troop, and some reductions in Royal Navy and Royal Air Force
strengths.
Hansard Vcl 890 No 103 Col 137
Under the present cost-sharing agreement which runs out in 1976
the Hong Kong Government currently meets about a quarter of the
costs.
SAVINGS FROM THE
ANNOUNCED REDUCTIONS
I should prefer not to go into any details since these savings will be relected in the consultations on future cost-sharing.
If pressed7 Broadly they would amount in a full year to a saving of about a fifth.