CONFIDENTIAL COVERING SECRET
Tel sent.
Mr Murray
Murra
چواں
HKK obal,
* 1978
106
NO. ST
Flag A 103
Flag B
lo
INDEX
PA
HONG KONG: POSSIBLE REINFORCEMENT OF GARRISON RSV
Gurkha
M
1. We spoke about Sir Denys Roberts' telegram no. 542 of 29 April in which he asked us to seek-MOD's authority for HQBF Hong Kong to participate in a study of the feasibility of accommodating an extra garnison battalion in Hong Kong. This request stems from a discussion that Sir Denys Roberts had with the Chief of Defence Staff about which CBF Hong Kong reported
to the MOD on 27 April.
Tavan
2. In view of the fact that the proposed study is related to
Gurkha the possibility that the ion battalion might be withdrawn from Brunei, the timing seems decidely premature. When you saw the Governor at lunch on 27 April he seemed to accept that there was no immediate prospect of a rapid withdrawal of the Gurkhas Flag & from Brunei (;
(your minute of 27 April). However, if Hong Kong (HKK 267) have set their hearts on carrying out such a study, there is no
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reason why we should place obstacles in their way. They clearly understand that our agreement to the study would imply no commitment to any change. The purpose would be simply so that they could know what they will be letting themselves in for if they do decide to make a case for stationing an extra battalion in Hong Kong at their expense.
3. Before we give the MOD the go-ahead, you might like to ensure that the Governor still wants to carry out the study following his discussion with you on 27 April. I suggest, therefore, that you reply on the lines of the attached draft.
W.E. Quantill
WE Quantrill
Hong Kong & General Dept
5 May 1978
CC:
PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts
Defence Dept
SEAD
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