Covering CONFIDENTIAL
162
D/RP(A)24/16
4 Nov 86
Sec(0)(C)
Copy to:
D Army Plans
AG Sec 2
LIKK 02718
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
19 NOV 1986
GS Sec 1
AS D2
D/Cts(ROW)
DESK OFFICEK
PA
REGISTRY
Action Taken
FCO HK Dept
HCDC: VERY GRAND TOUR
Your minute of 24 October (not received here until 29 October) asked us to provide a brief for the HCDC on the future of the Briga de of Gurkhas before their visit to Hong Kong.
1.
2.
I attach such a brief. The first three paragraphs consist entirely of standard material; the fourth represents a modest departure from what we have been prepared to say so far, at least in public. It is now over a year since the original unspecific pledge of "a future for the Gurkhas after 1997" was given; the HCDC have raised the issue with Mr Younger during his evidence on SDE 86, and are planning to conduct their own inquiry into the subject; and I therefore think that we need some slight modification of the line that 1997 is a very long way away and the future of the Gurkhas is not something we can yet think about, if we are to avoid exasperating the HCDC and leading them to conclude that MOD is playing the ostrich. Accordingly, I suggest that we need now to offer some modest indication that we recognise that the problem cannot be left forever whilst still taking the position that the Hong Kong Garrison rundown needs to be sorted out first. Given the tightness of your deadline, have not been able to clear this form of words with copy addressees; and I would be grateful if they could let me know at once if they see any problems with it (or any other part of the draft).
دن له
I
N K J WITNEY
RP (Army) 1
MB 4172 7553 MB
1
Covering CONFIDENTIAL