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study are reflected in Annex E, but the conclusions are summarised
below:
a. The First Battalion. The withdrawal of the first battalion
will allow a slight reduction in supporting Arms and Services. Some will be as a direct result of withdrawing a battalion and
its dependants, whereas others will be due to the relinquishing of part of the Garrison's commitment to the Sino-Hong Kong land border. Reductions will mainly involve transport, medical and
education assets.
94.
b. The Second Battalion.
The withdrawal of the second
battalion should allow greater reductions in supporting Arms and
Services. Again,
Again, some reductions are the direct consequence of
the withdrawal of the battalion and the vacation of a barracks.
Others are due to the RHKP assuming more of the military's tasks
and the
the consequent reduction in workload as servicemen and dependants leave the Territory. In general terms, reductions
will affect the majority of combat support and combat service
support units.
C. Accompanied Service. Accompanied service has a direct bearing on the size of many of the supporting Arms and
Services. Such a reduction will mainly involve units concerned with the provision of transport, provost, education, medical and married quarter administrative services.
Should the third battalion be withdrawn before the cessation of
accompanied service the implications will be further reductions in
both the operational support areas, for example engineers, administrative and dependant support such as medical and education.
However, it should
it should be noted
be noted that there is a point beyond which
establishments such as hospitals and schools cannot reduce if the
service they are to provide is to remain viable. This point is likely
to be reached following withdrawal of the
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second battalion;