(DEFENCE AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS SUB-COMMITTEE)
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too severe for Hong Kong (Q 50-1). Pilots need as much flying as possible to cope with the difficult terrain and weather conditions there.
As was explained in evidence, the helicopter force is particularly suited to the opera- tional needs of Hong Kong. It would be regrettable if limitations on flying reduced the benefits to be derived from the availability of helicopters to the Services in the Colony. It is also a matter of some concern that the Wessex helicopter has suffered from corrosion from the hot humid and salty atmosphere and frequently sandy environment prevailing in Hong Kong. The Wessex is a relatively old aircraft in which much use was made of magnesium alloy which is particularly susceptible to corrosion. The new helicopter types which will ultimately replace the Wessex would not be so vulnerable in these conditions (Q 51). We recommend that, although the Wessex will remain in service for some years to come, consideration should be given to its replacement in Hong Kong as soon as possible. We also note that certain inquiries made by the Sub-Committee concerning the repair and servicing of motor vehicles in Hong Kong have been followed up by the Ministry of Defence (see Appendix 18 p 44). With a move to Sek Kong, an even closer liaison with the Army for vehicle servicing should be possible.
16. Conditions for Servicemen and their families on tours of duty in Hong Kong are different from those experienced in other parts of the world, especially since the majority of overseas postings are now in Germany. The cramped nature of living conditions generally, and particularly in Kowloon, the sub-tropical climate and the local oriental culture combine to present young Servicemen and their wives with a variety of problems of adjustment and adaptation. We understand that a substantial number of young wives find it difficult to cope with the disorientation and disturbance of living away from home for the first time in their lives in conditions so strange to them. What is done to prepare Servicemen and their families for their postings to Hong Kong is therefore extremely important in helping them come to terms with the environment there. The Ministry informed us that all Servicemen and their families are given briefing material on local conditions, as far in advance as possible before they leave the United Kingdom (see Appendix 15 p 42). This process is easier when men are being block-posted as part of formed units but men on trickle posting are also briefed. Officers are also aware of the need to give additional help on arrival. We are satisfied that, although some individuals and families may not be adequately briefed, the need for this preparation is well understood and all reasonable efforts are made to prepare Servicemen and their families for their life in Hong Kong. We believe that time and effort devoted to this problem before departure and locally after arrival on station is most valuable and we recommend that the arrangements for dealing with it should be kept constantly under sympathetic review. A further important factor in the life of Servicemen and their families is the existence and efficiency of NAAFI. In Hong Kong and, as the Sub-Committee later discovered, in Cyprus, there are still many criticisms of NAAFI. Many goods were alleged to be out of stock and prices above the local average. We acknowledge that all retail organisations receive complaints from their customers about prices and standards of service (Appendix 16 p 42). We con- sider that special attention should be paid, however, in areas such as Hong Kong where NAAFI provides a valuable link with British standards of life and is relied upon to meet basic needs of Service families who may not be able for one reason or another to shop elsewhere.
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