1
HONG KON
1.
COMMITMENT
2.
As Hong Kong is a Crown Colony, HG is
responsible for its external defence and
internal security.
WHY MAINTAIN
A GARRISON?
As My Rt Hon Friend the Minister of State
for Defence explained on 14 January we
maintain the garrison to help preserve the
territorial integrity of Hong Kong.
Hansard Vol. 884 No 45 Col 169 JA/
3. FORCE LEVELS AND
COST
4.
DEFENCE REVIEW DECISIONS
At the time of the Defence Review the Hong
Kong garrison consisted of five infantry
battalions, an artillery regiment and a
squadron each of armoured cars and engineers;
a frigate and patrol craft; and a PAF
Helicopter Squadron. At current prices it
costs about £65m a year. The White Paper
said there would be some reductions in
British Servicemen and locally employed
personnel; and that we should be seeking
a greater proportion of the costs from the
Hong Kong Government when the present
cost-sharing agreement was re-negotiated.
5.
REDUCTIONS ANNOUNCED IN APRIL
There was agreement on some early reductions
under the present cost sharing agreement,
to include the withdrawal of an armoured
reconnaissance squadron, an artillery
regiment less one battery and the disbandment