TNAG-0179-FCO40-215-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-Garrison-1970 — Page 82

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Unaccompanied Tours

7.

Following the disturbances which occurred in Hong Kong during 1967 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. The proposal 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.

8. 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 have to 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 subsequently 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 withdrew their proposal for unaccompanied tours: the reasons for this change of attitude were mainly that the out- look for Hong Kong since Communist confrontation there ended in December 1967, had improved sufficiently to warrant taking a slight risk over the security of the additional number of Service families involved, in return for the very considerable advantages (particularly in relation to morale) of accompanied

tours.

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9. Accordingly, the Ministry of Defence decided that the existing British units in Hong Kong should continue to be accompanied (particularly since the financial saving, if any, would be minimal). This decision was taken quite independently of any decision that might be reached on the future of the Gurkhas (see paragraph 10 below) although it was recognised

that the latter decision could substantially affect the number of British troops who might at some future date be stationed in Hong Kong. The Governor has been informed.

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