TNAG-0252-FCO40-288-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1970 — Page 140

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DOP Note 706/70

Draft Continued)

size of the Hong Kong Garrison could be reduced nor the requirement

for a unit to be available in Singapore for reinforcing the Colony

cancelled.

therefore required for Hong Kong commitments during the period

under review.

Two major units from Far East Command (FEC) are

31. Malaysia. The protective security commitment of the Gurkha

battalion in Penang will end when the Garrison and families leave

the island, which under existing plans is due to be in August 1971.

As Penang is an isolated station we do not consider it acceptable

to detach the battalion on unaccompanied service without first

closing the Garrison. The time factor involved in effecting this

would be likely to be:

a.

b.

view.

1 month to obtain political agreement from Malaysia.

3 months to close the Garrison from a military point of

Therefore, even if these timings ran concurrently the battalion

would not be available to leave Penang before late November 1970.

32. Singapore. The protective security task in Singapore has

been assessed as requiring 2 major units. A third unit is required

for contingencies including the reinforcement of Hong Kong. There

is no reserve available in the area to meet a second contingency.

However, in the light of the current stability in both Singapore

and Hong Kong, we consider it would be acceptable to reduce the

protective security commitment in Singapore to one major unit.

Thus with one commando at present in Hong Kong, one Gurkha battalion

and the Commando Light Regiment available in Singapore for

protective duties and theatre reserve, it would be possible to

make the second commando available in September 1970 for temporary

unaccompanied service in Northern Ireland. A suggested deployment

10 -

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