THIS
SECRET
DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S
GOVERNMENT
OPD (K) (93)
JUNE 1993
CABINET
MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE AND OVERSEAS POLICY (DEPENDENT
TERRITORIES)
HONG KONG: THE FUTURE OF THE BRITISH GARRISON
Memorandum by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs and the Secretary of State for Defence
Introduction
1. This memorandum examines the military, political and financial
implications of a rapid run down of the Hong Kong garrison to an essentially symbolic presence in the light of its reduced operational role; the prospect of increasing the availability of
forces to meet commitments elsewhere; and in order to avoid creating political difficulty with the Legislative Council
(LEGCO) in Hong Kong over defence costs.
Background
2.
The Hong Kong garrison currently comprises 6600 military
personnel from all three services and 2200 civilian personnel. Its basic components are set out at Annex A. Essentially it comprises three infantry battalions (two of which are Gurkha)
plus other Army support units, three RN patrol craft and a squadron of eight RAF Wessex helicopters. Its current role is to help demonstrate British sovereignty over Hong Kong and to support the civil adminstration and the Royal Hong Kong Police
(RHKP) including the maintenance of law and order if so required.
It has no remit to defend the Territory against major military
aggression from China, nor does it have the capacity to do so.
SECRET