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Part I to COS 75th Mecting/67 24th October 1967
The Commander-in-Chief, Far East's proposal to change from accompanied to unaccompanied service in Hong Kong was based on the current forecast of the situation there some
years ahead. This could change. When considering the proposal it was important to remember the effect it would have on morale and recruiting throughout the Army. There would, by the mid 1970s be very few stations overseas for accompanied service and there would inevitably be an increase in family welfare problems as the number of unaccompanied tours increased. The proposal would also have a major effect on the order of battle for the Army in the mid 1970s and would greatly increase the turbulence of unit life. They had already allowed in their future planning for British units to replace Gurkha units on an accompanied basis. To effect this proposal would mean an increase in units above the present planned force levels to an unacceptable extent and would also mean over-committing the units of the Strategic Reservc, thus negating their ability to perform their primary task.
GENERAL CARVER said it was likely that the situation in Hong Kong would become progressively worse as the date for the end of the lease of the Now Territories approached. Hong Kong was not a good station for the more junior ranks and their families, many of whom lived in over-crowded and sub-standard accommodation in Kowloon or the New
Territories. The Governor was of the opinion that if the change from accompanied to unaccompanied tours took place gradually as units were replaced, the confidence in the Colony would not be adversely affected.
In discussion of this proposal the following points were made:
k. If the garrison was to remain on accompanied tours in the mid 1970s, when it would be composed entirely of British units, it would be necessary by that time to convert the present Gurkha Barracks and Married Quarters to British standards; would probably also be necessary to provide additional Married Quarters.
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1. It was agreed that in the light of the advice from the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, the permanent garrison of Hong Kong was required to be 73 units once it was no longer possible to reinforce Hong Kong from Malaysia/Singapore within 72 hours. The problem of the long term strength of the garrison and provision of accommodation for it would be considered in the study of Hong Kong in the long term now being undertaken.
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m. It was agreed that the Army Department would prepare a paper on the problem of whether the garrison of Hong Kong should remain on an accompanied basis as at present or should gradually change to unaccompanied tours. When complete this paper would be examined by the Defence Planning Staff before consideration by them.
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