SECRET
SECRET
20
HONG KONG: SIZE OF GARRISON
It
MR. CAMPBELL recalled that the Defence and Oversea Policy Committee had decided in December 1966 to reduce the permanent garrison of Hong Kong to 5 major units from its present level of 6 units. As a result of the recent disturbances in the Colony, the garrison had been increased to 7 units, but planning for the reduction to 5 was still continuing. was for consideration whether the question of the future size of the garrison should now be considered in the long term study of policy towards Hong Kong and whether the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, should be instructed to cease planning for the reduction to 5 units. One risk of continuing planning for the reduction was the possibility of a leak which could be damaging to confidence in the Colony at the present time.
In discussion there was general agreement that planning for the reduction should not be taken further and that the Defence Secretary should minute the Prime Minister accordingly, with copies to other members of the Defence and Oversea Policy Committee, The minute should include an estimate of the cost of not making the reduction. Reference might also be made to
the size of the garrison in the minute being prepared for the Prime Minister
on the current situation.
The Working Party
(1) Invited the Ministry of Defence to move the Defence Secretary to seek agreement to the maintenance of the garrison at its present level on the lines indicated in discussion.
(2) Invited the Commonwealth Office to include a reference to
the garrison in the minute being prepared for the Minister of State to send to the Prime Minister on the current situation.
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SECRET
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