b.
SECRET
Some additional married quarters for the Army and RAF
C. improvements to 2 Gurkha barracks.
As to machinery, Departments have agreed to your proposal for a Joint Committee.
HQBF has separately submitted to MOD a case for CBF being authorised with
definitive
powers on works programmes, and this will be examined in consultation
with other interested Departments. We do not see resolution of this point,
however, as a necessary preliminary to negotiations.
Your para 4
now lodged the
If asked, you could say to unofficials that it will continue to be possible
to reinforce from the UK but that in agreeing that the garrison can be reduced
Rcknowlect & Bet to one of 4 teeth arm units in the infantiy role we have
presence of a local reinforcement by the battalion stationed in Brunei which is
available for worldwide deployment. Should unofficials question this by
mentioning our announced intention of withdrawing that battalion, subject to
consultations with the Sultan, you could say that there consultations are
incomplete and that consequetly we cannot speculate about when withdrawal
effected will be complete; that we would be ready to consult with Hong Kong whenever the
position changes, on the then current threat and the options for meeting it; but
that we are not attempting now to anticipate what the outcome of such consultation tright
- must be and are conducting negotiations on the basis of the garrison required
in present circumstances.
Your Para 5
We are not contemplating any change to the agreed draft MOU but must, of course,
be free to do so should the outcome of negotiations make it necessary.
SEGRET
1