this decision.
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A10. Yes, the decision took full account of the assessed
security situation in Hong Kong in the period up to 1997.
Roles and capabilities of the remaining garrison
Q11. What will be the role of the garrison in future?
All. Its role remains unchanged: to demonstrate HMG's commitment to the stability and security of Hong Kong until 30
June 1997.
Q12. Will the post 1995 garrison be purely symbolic?
[largest
A12. No. It will have genuine military capabilities, and will
still be Britain's second largest overseas garrison. is Cyprus]
Q13. Which of its present capabilities will be lost?
A13. We expect the garrison's Army elements to play a reduced role supporting the RHKP in specialist tasks or general
operations, as the police become steadily more capable and self sufficient. We expect the present capabilities of the Naval and RAF elements of the garrison to remain broadly unchanged until much nearer 1997.
Q14. Future tasks?
A14. Tasks change as the situation demands. Impossible to predict. Where we retain capabilities, these will remain at the disposal of the HK civil authorities, for example the RN
and other contributions to Anti Smuggling Task Force, RN patrols against illegal immigrants, disaster relief, etc.
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