Mr Burns
CONFIDENTIAL
NOT SENT
FROM:
A R Paul
File. (G)
St. Patrol.
144
Hong Kong Department
DATE:
23 July 1991
нив 063/1
FUTURE OF THE GURKHAS/PATROL CRAFT
g
1. You should know that Ministers have just reached a
decision about the future of the Gurkhas (at a meeting in
Cabinet earlier this morning). They have confirmed the
Defence Secretary's proposals, namely a cut to 2,500 men. This will be incorporated in the statement which will be
made to the House later this afternoon (23 July).
2. No news on Patrol Craft. But MOD are poised to announce
the withdrawal of the craft by means of a written PQ. We are
therefore telegraphing to Tony Galsworthy suggesting that he
stands ready to brief Guo in advance of any announcement, so
that it does not come as a surprise to the Chinese.
ARPanc
A R Paul
TEDAEO/1
CONFIDENTIAL
CC