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(111) Despite the needs of the Northern
Ireland situation, the reaction in Hong Kong to the withdrawal of a battalion would almost certainly be to record such a reduction as a departure from the undertaking referred to above. It might well be recorded in Hong Kong as the thin end of the wedge and it could have a considerable effect on confidence
in the colony.
(iv) The present "teeth arm" strength of
the army garrison is:
3 Girkha infantry battalions 2 British infantry battalions 1 British Gunner battalion.
In August 1970 one Gurkha battalion will disappear (it is being merged with another battalion as part of the run-down of the Gurkha brigade) and is being temporarily replaced by a British commande unit from Singapore. This arrangement will continue until December 1970 when a further Gurkha battalion will move to Hong Kong fron Brunei and the commande will return to Singapore.
4. In August 1971 a further and final Gurkha battalion will move to Hong Kong from Singapore te make up the approved 1971 strength of 73 major army units.
5. If a British battalion is to be moved from Hong Kong to Northern Ireland in September 1970, it will mean that the balance of najer army units from September 1970 onwards will be:
>
December 1970 3 British
2 Gurkha
September 1970
December 1970
July 1971
2 British
3 Gurkha
2 British
August 1971 onwards
4 Gurkha
(It is not at all cleak from the attached correspon- dence whether the idea is to borrow a battalion on a temporary
or permanent basis and we must therefore assume the worst).
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16.
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