TNAG-0061-FCO40-97-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 28

CONFIDENTIAL

Defence Secretariat Division 5b MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Main Building, Whitehall, LONDON S.W.I

Telephone:

KtéħallX7XXXXXXXXX

01-930 7022 Ext. 2477

It September, 1968

reference: D/DS5/111/5/2/68/B

Your reference:

153

Dear Mr. Gaminara,

I telephoned earlier today on the subject of the reinforcement of the Hong Kong Garrison and in particular the security classification of the programme for the transfer of the 5 minehunters from Singapore.

2. I understand that the reason for the classification "Confidential" was that a public announcement of our intentions might prejudice Ministerial decision on force levels in Hong Kong after 1971.

3.

COMFEF proposes to deploy the first two ships to Hong Kong in April 1969 and would like an early reply to his 0509432 September (copy attached) in order to inform the families concerned. I would be most grateful therefore for your views, as soon as possible, as to whether the programme can be declassified.

Yous

sincerely beyl Collett.

(MISS B. COLLETT)

A.. Gaminara, Esq., Commonwealth Office, 4, Central Buildings, Matthew Parker Street,

LONDON,

3.M.1.

BC/ID/24

CONFIDENTIAL