I
D/DS6/16/49
+
DPS(C)
D Ops (ROW)
NO 2 ASD 2
DS 11
CO CONFIDENETAL
ป
have talked with thr. Lingue (3471)
Mr. Munro (Def. Doya).
・(Def. Deyt). This paper
has now boom curtaion by crouts
+ Thr. the (mon) is going to wate
P.t. B
it.
→FCO Hong Kong/South Asia/SE Asia Depts
COSSEC
RECEIVED
DS 1
DS 7
GF 3
708
#екова
39. ST
- 9 MAY 1978
OFAK OFFICER INDEX
RE
PA
ET
FUTURE OF BRIGADE OF GURKHAS
1. Whatever the outcome of the negotiations with the Sultan of Brunei, now expected to take place in London in June, there will be repercussions for the Brigade of Gurkhas which will result in changes to the publicly-announced policy for the future of the Brigade. Furthermore, if the negotiations reach a conclusion in June, the FCO will wish to be in a position to make a public announcement; it would clearly be desirable that MOD should announce at the same time the consequences for the Brigade.
2. We therefore consider it advisable that S of S should be in a position to advise his Cabinet colleagues, in advance of the negotia- tions, of the consequences for MOD of the three alternative scenarios: the successful negotiation of a new Treaty, allowing for a Gurkha battalion to be stationed in Brunei for up to a further 5 years; a decision to terminate the present Treaty without replacement; or a further delay in reaching any agreement. In addition, of course, MOD(Army) wish to put an end to the continuing uncertainty over the future of the Brigade, which has given rise to an unsatisfactory manning situation where recruiting and unit strengths have been adjusted in anticipation of an amalga mation and rundown which has already been postponed. A paper on the future of the Brigade is therefore attached, which could be the basis for a DOP paper on this subject.
3.
The paper assumes a continuing obligation to station 3 Gurkha infantry battalions in Hong Kong, and restates the case for a fourth battalion to be stationed in the United Kingdom. It does not address the proposal put forward by General Sir John Archer in his recent report to CDS(1) (and in recent signals from Hong Kong) that, if and when the Brunei battalion is withdrawn, a fourth Gurkha infantry battalion should be stationed in Hong Kong. The rationale for this proposal is that the then-CBF and the Chiefs of Staff agreed in 1975 (2), at the time the Hong Kong Defence Costs Agreement was being
/negotiated,
CBF 601 dated 6 April 1978 CBS 2051/2 dated 9 June 1975
1.