TNAG-0060-FCO40-96-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 112

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ANNEX

DP 9/68 (Final) (Continued)

40.

COSTS

The costs of our proposals, above those of the present permanent rrison, will be about £3.3 million in annual budgetary terms, of which £0.6 million is in addition to the provision made in the calcu- lations for long term costings for 1972/73 force levels (the "Four Day Costing Exercise"). The extra foreign exchange cost would be about £1.4 million. The detailed breakdown of costs and manpower is shown at Appendix. These figures do not include the cost of any additional accommodation that may be required. Nor do they include

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the costs of the three additional MCM (V)s or the five Hunter aircraft,

which we suggest should be met from outside the Defence budget. The annual programme cost of these units would amount to about £1M.

41.

We conclude that:

a.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the lull in confrontation resulting from a change

in tactics by the Chinese Communists, we can discern no

weakening of their long term intentions to maintain their

pressure on the Colony. The threat to internal security, coupled with the ability of the Chinese to aggravate the

situation on the border, will in no sense diminish.

b. The withdrawal of British forces from Malaysia and

Singapore will be apparent to the population of Hong Kong. Morale in the Colony will be particularly sensitive to the

knowledge that there will be no reserve forces available in

the theatre and that reinforcements will have to come from

the United Kingdom.

C.

A reduction of one battalion helow the present level of 73 major units may be acceptable whilst the Commander-in-Chief

Far East retains the ability to reinforce at very short notice

from within the theatre. However, it will be necessary to bring the garrison back to its recommended strength of 73 major units before the withdrawal from Singapore is completed.

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In the event of a serious emergency, it would be necessary to reinforce the Hong Kong Garrison up to a total of 10 major units to meet the Commander-in-Chief's new operational concept.

The reinforcing units would have to be provided from the United

Kingdom.

e. In order to meet the requirement for rapid reinforcement from the United Kingdom there will have to be pre-stocking of unit equipment at appropriate scales for the reinforcing

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A

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