TNAG-0179-FCO40-215-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-Garrison-1970 — Page 64

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rundown of British Forces in the Far East. We have accordingly

been considering, in consultation with the Governor, the problem of

providing fighter cover for the Colony after that date.

4.

Upon the decision being taken to withdraw our Forces from

Singapore and Malaysia, the Governor originally proposed that a unit

of RAF Hunter aircraft should once again be stationed in Hong Kong

as part of the Colony's future garrison and implied that Hong Kong

would find a substantial, if not the greater, part of the cost.

In support of his proposal the Governor argued that fighter cover

is required:

(a) to deter intrusion by military aircraft into Hong Kong

air space (e.g. by Chinese Communist or Nationalist

aircraft);

(6)

to bolster local confidence.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have supported the Governor and

have argued in favour of the proposal, urging the additional ground

that the alternative of sending aircraft from elsewhere (i.e. from

the United Kingdom) to reinforce the garrison in a period of tension

might constitute an act likely to exacerbate and escalate what might

well be an already inflammable situation.

5.

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The Governor's proposal was approved by Ministers (in Defence

and Overseas Policy Committee) in May 1968, subject to further

examination of the possibility that these aircraft might be manned

HW B.co/q and serviced from local resources" Subsequent studies indicated

•

that local resources could be used for servicing but that local

manning would not produce significant economies and was undesirable

on the grounds of efficiency.

The Ministry of Defence accordingly

produced estimates of the costs of establishing and operating such a

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