SECRET
(covering TOP SECRET annex)
needed social services.
17.
I must also advise against an approach which makes the size
of the military forces we are prepared to maintain there dependent
upon the level of contribution;
or which talks in terms of
imposing a rate of contribution; to do so would play into the
hands of the local communists.
18. In taking a view now, for planning purposes, of the minimum
forces we shall need to maintain our position in Hong Kong after
1971 we should make no other financial assumptions than that
the Colony will continue to contribute on a scale no less than
it is now making. Provided that Hong Kong's economy continues to
grow at a satisfactory rate (which will depend on the security
situation) I think we can hope and expect a higher rate of
contribution in the years ahead.
Background Notes
19.
The following comparative table indicates the measure of
the increase in force levels now proposed:-
Army
Pre-Defence Review
Level
6 units
Navy 3 Minesweepers
based on Hongkong)
RAF
3-4 Hunter aircraft with RAF Ground complements.
RAF Signals element (Tai Mo Shan).
Defence Review
Decisions
5 units (a)
Naval cover deployed from Singapore on ro- tation (at pres- ent 1 frigate & 2 minesweepers)
Air presence maintained by frequent visits from Singapore and by aircraft carri-
ers.
SECRET
(covering TOP SECRET annex)
Present Proposals
7 units
2 frigates
5 minesweepers
1
small tanker all based on Hong Kong)
6 Whirlwind Helicopters.(b) RAF Staging ele- ment.
RAF Signals ele- ment (Tai Mo Shan).
/RAF
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