TNAG-0061-FCO40-97-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 86

SECRET

2-

(၁)

and that he should argue as outlined in the speaking

notes below against the proposals on the apportion-

ment of costs.

Far Eastern Department concur.

Speaking Notes

3. I concur generally in the proposals for the future

strength and structure of our forces in Hong Kong set out

at paragraph 2 of the Defence Secretary's memorandum.

4.

The second point raised by the Defence Secretary for

discussion concerns the stationing of fighter aircraft in

the colony. I strongly support the Governor of Hong Kong

and the Commonwealth Secretary in their belief that a force

of fighter aircraft should be stationed in Hong Kong after

the withdrawal of the present squadron in Singapore in 1970. .

I have already mentioned my reason for doing so in a letter

to the Defence Secretary. I believe that under certain

circumstances we may wish to deploy aircraft in Hong Kong

to deal with intrusions into our air-space. In the absence

of a permanent detachment we would be faced with an invidious

choice between allowing the intrusions to go unchallenged,

or raising the temperature by sending out aircraft from the

United Kingdom. No such choice would arise if a small

fighter force were permanently stationed in Hong Kong.

A unit of four Hunters and a Hunter trainer as proposed in

the Defence Secretary's memorandum would seem to meet the

purpose.

And this would seem the course least provocative

to the Chinese consistent with maintaining our own interests.

SECRET

/5.