TNAG-0183-FCO40-219-Briefs-for-Ministry-of-Defence-Ministerial-visits-1969 — Page 81

Brief for S of S

Prepared by DS 6

SECRET UK EYES ONLY

Copy N10

9

of 40

D/DS 6/7/B(69)33

8

11th

June 1969

UNACCOMPANIED SERVICE IN HONG KONG

Origin of Proposal

1. As a result of the unrest in the Colony during 1967 Commander British Forces Hong Kong, supported by the Governor and CINCFE, then General Carver, proposed that the British units of the garrison, less the Island battalion and static units and Headquarters, should become un- accompanied. This was to be gradually implemented by introducing unaccompanied units when current units were relieved.

2.

The reason for this proposal was the difficulty of protecting families spread widely over the Colony, and the problem of evacuating them without increasing tension or creating a lack of confidence in the authorities by the civilian population. The proposals were formally put forward in October 1967.

Examination within MOD

3. Whilst the Army Department examined the proposals the internal security situation improved and it was agreed in April 1968 that the Armoured Car Squadron and Light Regiment would be relieved accompanied in October 1968 and February 1969 respectively. Tho Army Department examination showed that it would be possible to maintain the existing British garrison unaccompanied but that if the whole garrison were to become British, to maintain a force of 63 units un- accompanied would create very serious consequences.

4.

Experience has shown that a backing of three units is needed to maintain each unaccompanied unit and that this backing should be stationed in the United Kingdom. If there were to be 63 unaccompanied units in Hong Kong there would be insufficient units in the United Kingdom to meet the requirement. The equivalent of nine major units would have unaccompanied tours every year, and, because these would not all be provided from the United Kingdom, some units would be deprived of a fixed base for their families while the unit was in Hong Kong. This would involve more frequent moves of families. This, combined with a scale of continuous unaccompanied service unprecedented except in emergencies would have a very serious effect on morale.

UK EYES ONLY

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