SECRET
UK EYES A
LOCSEN
RECOMMENDATIONS
WITHDRAWAL DECISIONS
53. The COS are invited to endorse the recommendation,
approved by the Hong Kong Steering Committee, that the dates of withdrawal of battalions, and of supporting naval and air elements should remain as prescribed by CDS 7/87 - with the
exception of 660 Sqn AAC, which should retain aircraft and
manpower based on the results of a 6 month trial of a Scout
force level of 6 UE and 2 IRR helicopters, to be conducted from 1 May to 30 October 1989.
54. The COS are also invited to approve the recommendation that the size and scale of Army supporting arms and services be directly related to the roles and operational requirements of the remaining garrison battalions, and RN and RAF units remaining in Hong Kong, at all stages during the rundown.
55.
The COS are invited to confirm now their 1987 decision to withdraw the first of the 4 remaining battalions in
mid-1992.
56. The COS are invited to note that, following their confirmation of this decision, plans will be progressed towards declaring this (Gurkha) battalion non-operational early in 1992, and redeploying or amalgamating it during the second half of that year.
57.
The COS are invited to note that, subject to confirmation of the decision in paragraph 55, any public announcement of this decision is likely to be tied to an announcement on the future of the Gurkhas as a whole.
COS49.6-17
35 LOCSEN
UK EYES A
SECRET