brun.backgarr.JM
MR GOODLAD'S VISIT TO BRUNEI: 29-31 JULY
HONG KONG: GARRISON
BACKGROUND
Brunei (and Nepal) were both informed in advance of the
announcement on 19 July about the withdrawal of the Hong Kong garrison.
The text of the official announcement was as follows:
"Broad plans have now been finalised for the withdrawal of
the Hong Kong garrison by 30 June 1997. Units of all three
services the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force will remain in Hong Kong until then. However, the garrison will continue to reduce in stages over the period, as local forces assume responsibility for its former operational
tasks. In the latter part of 1994, the 1st Battalion the
Black Watch will return to the UK and the two Gurkha
battalions will merge to form the 1st Battalion the Royal
Gurkha Rifles. One battalion will remain in Hong Kong
until June 1997. The strength of logistic and other
supporting units will be reduced in line with that of
front-line units. The three Royal Navy patrol craft presently in Hong Kong will remain until 1997.
Force helicopters will also remain in Hong Kong until 1997,
although their numbers may be reduced. The plans mean that
for the final two years of British sovereignty, the garrison will be about 3,000 strong. It will comprise a headquarters, an infantry battalion group, logistic
support, naval patrol craft and Royal Air Force
helicopters."
Royal Air
This decision, which was announced by way of a written
Parliamentary Question, is an elaboration of existing plans for the rundown of the garrison. Our plans for the
long-term future of the Brigade of Gurkhas are unchanged.