accepted.
SECRET UK EYES A LOCSEN
67. NMS.
CBF Hong Kong is the holder of an Intermediate Higher Level Budget. He is responsible for achieving the objectives set out in his management plan within allocated resources in accordance with
JSP 414.
PART THREE - SEA: LAND AND AIR MATTERS
SEA
General
68. Since CDS
13/89
there has been
major change in emphasis
concerning the RN withdrawal; namely, the decision that subject to
suitable financial arrangements being agreed with the HKG the 3 Patrol
Craft should remain until 1997. This decision was taken in
recognition of the fact that although the military case for retention
is weak, and would not by itself justify the allocation of additional
defence resources, the patrol craft are an important symbol of HMG's continuing political commitment to Hong Kong. This is an important
factor in preserving confidence in the Territory.
69.
The retention of the patrol craft will have a significant effect
on the remaining naval manpower and resources as there will be a requirement to maintain the support facilities and a naval base. It
is planned that the naval base will move to Stonecutters' Island in
late 1992 immediately prior to the "filling in" of the current basin
at HMS TAMAR. This is a consequence of the HKG's plans to reclaim
land from the harbour in order to provide additional sites for development in the Central Business District. Planning has already
begun to reprovision the naval base at Stonecutters' Island and the
new base will be completed by September 1992. It is unlikely that many savings in RN manpower and other resources will accrue.
Page 25 of 47 pages
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