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consequently there will be little scope for further reductions in the administrative and dependant support areas, even after the third battalion has been withdrawn. There will however, be scope for
further reductions in those combat support and combat service support
units not involved in the support of dependants.
95. It might of course be possible to make use of civilian medical and education facilities during the critical phases of the withdrawal. Hong Kong, unlike many other Service Stations round the world, has a well developed social and economic infrastructure. It may well be
cheaper and more effective to utilize this during the latter stages
of the rundown rather than to retain our own assets which may in any
event be needed more urgently elsewhere. This alternative should be
investigated in 1993/94. Until then realistic assumptions cannot be
made because of continuing uncertainties in the Hong Kong economy
and internal security situation.
96.
as
Another aspect to be considered within this area is the provision of combat supplies and materiel to support operations. Current levels provide the bulk of all combat supplies and materiel that would be
needed by the existing garrison plus one reinforcing brigade. It is assumed that in the medium term, the strength of the Garrison
decreases, so force levels earmarked in JTPS will be increased to
continue to provide the current maximum of up to two brigades in
current
theatre. On this basis, current stock levels should be maintained for
the time being, and much of this can be achieved by retaining equipments and stocks in Hong Kong once units or parts thereof have withdrawn. Clearly, stocks will have to be run down in the final months as part of the physical withdrawal of assets.
97. The Hong Kong Garrison also supports British Forces in Brunei,
Nepal and the Commonwealth Liaison Mission (CLM) United Nations Command Korea. The continuation of C2 and logistic support to these stations has been studied and the results reflected in the paper at
Annex C. Further work is required in connection with Nepal and Korea
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