CONFIDENTIAL
A19. Absolutely not. HMG committed to maintain sovereignty and public order until 30 June 1997, and will stand by Joint
Declaration pledges to do so. To underpin this a capable garrison of around 3,000 will remain until it is time for the
final withdrawal.
Q20. Does this figure of about 3,000 include civilians?
AZU. It includes Civiliane working tow
O Ce gurrison, but not
garrison families.
Q21. Details of previous withdrawals?
A21. Garrison has been shrinking steadily over a long period
as external threats have diminished and as the expansion of
the Police has taken place and for reasons of efficiency.
Major recent reductions include 2 RN Patrol Craft in 1988, some helicopters in 1991, and one Gurkha battalion in 1992.
Garrison has shrunk from 12,000 in 1987 to a current strength
of 8,700.
Q22. Why such a sudden reduction to 3,000?
Steady
A22. This is part of an ongoing process of withdrawal.
reductions in BFHQ over the last 20 years and more. The
garrison must reduce in good time before 1997 in order to allow an orderly final withdrawal.
Impact on Defence Costs Agreement (DCA)
Q23. What is the effect of this announcement on the DCA?
A23. The 1988 DCA will continue as planned until 1997 (HKG
pays 65%, UK 35%).
Q24. Will HKG's DCA payments fall?
CONFIDENTIAL