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in question.
The matter has been referred to the Chiefs of
Staff who have expressed the view that in present circumstances in Hong Kong it would be difficult to justify the additional helicopters as an essential and immediate requirement. They have accordingly stated that the operational case for the additional helicopters will need to be strengthened before the matter can be submitted to the Defence Secretary (the Ministry of Defence have made it clear that in view of the additional annual costs involved in operating the four extra helicopters, the proposal will in any event require Ministerial approval).
11.
It
The Governor strongly supported the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, 's original recommendation that the force of six Whirlwinds should be replaced by six Wessex helicopters. is assumed that he likewise supports the alternative of increas- ing the number of Whirlwinds, although we have received no communication from him on the subject.
Unaccompanied Tours
12.
The Commander-in-Chief, Far East, with the support of the Governor, originated a proposal that British units in Hong Kong (with the exception of H.Q. Staff and the Forces on the Island) should be unaccompanied by their families. It was conceived against the background of an all-British Garrison. There would be fewer hostages to fortune in the event of a Chinese takeover and the men would be able to discharge their duties without anxiety for the safety of their families.
13. On examination in the Ministry of Defence many objections were raised. Units would need to be on nine month tours and on this basis one would be relieved every six weeks: the effect of this would be unsettling not only in Hong Kong but on the families of the men. The Chief of the General Staff recently visited Hong Kong and discussed the whole matter with the Governor and the Commander British Forces, Hong Kong. Following this visit both the Governor and the CBF expressed their support for the idea of accompanied tours: the reasons for this change of attitude were mainly that the outlook for Hong Kong since Communist confrontation there ended in December 1967, had
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/ improved
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