CONFIDENTIAL
[IF ASKED ABOUT APPOINTMENT OF A SUCCESSOR]
This is a matter for the Governor.
Will agreement be registered at the UN?
10. Yes. We shall register it at the UN in accordance with normal
international practice.
Pensions
11.
The agreement provides that the SAR Government will pay all
pensions, gratuities and other benefits due to public servants and
dependants including those who have retired before 1 July 1997.
Conscription into PLA
12. The agreement does not refer to the question of conscription.
This
will be conscription.
is not to say that there
Chinese
Government have not suggested that there would be. With one billion
Chinese people can see little need to conscript from 5 million Hong
Kong people.
Stationing of PLA in Hong Kong after 1997?
13. Clear the PRC will be responsible for SAR's defence. Whether
troops be stationed there will be a matter for the Central People's
Agreement makes clear that public order will bel
responsibility of the SAR Government and that troops stationed
SAR for the purpose of defence will not interfere
its internal
Government.
affairs.
in
in
Future of the Gurkhas
14.
The government has no plans to run down or disband the Brigade
of Gurkhas.
Future of the Garrison
15. Do
not anticipate any material changes for the time being, but
we do, of course, keep the size of all our deployments under
continuous review. HMG will remain responsible for the defence and
internal security of Hong Kong until 1997 and we will retain an
appropriate garrison for this purpose.
CONFIDENTIAL
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