TNAG-0252-FCO40-288-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1970 — Page 184

DP 4/393/2

SECRET

HKK 10ft

Defence Policy Department

Foreign and Commonwealth Office London S.W.1

3 February 1970

PA.

5,2,70

시

I

Hong Kong: Additional Helicopters and

Visits by RAF Aircraft

I am replying to your letter DS 8/39/8 of 21 January about the additional Whirlwind helicopters for Hong Kong and the proposed arrangements for RAF training flight visits to the Colony both during the period March 1970 to the end of 1971 and thereafter.

2. The news about the helicopters is very welcome and we are passing it on to the Governor, together with the comment in paragraph 2 of your letter.

3. As regards the training flight visits, we are now in a position to let you know that the Governor has abandoned the idea of having a unit of RAF Hunter aircraft stationed in the Colony and has agreed (very reluctantly, I fear, and for want of any practical alternative) to the proposals in the Annex to COS 3/70 (for visits during the period March 1970 to the end of 1971); and to the proposals set out in Carter's letter to him No. DP L/- 393/1 of 27 August 1969 (in relation to visits after 1971). The letter in question was agreed with the Ministry of Defence in draft and a copy of it was sent to Noyes after it had issued. 4. In conveying the Governor's decision (which we endorse) there are certain points which we should, like to make:

(a) the agreement is conditional on the assurances given

in paragraphs 2-4 of your letter to me No. DS 8/39/8 of 16 December;

(b) the extent of fighter cover envisaged in the proposals

is the barest minimum required, and both we and the it will Governor very much hope that, in the event, prove to be better than can at this stage be foreseen, particularly during the period 1970/71;

a) should experience of the arrangements show that the

extent of fighter cover that they provide is inadequate for its purpose, then we must reserve the right to raise the whole matter again ab initio;

(a) the Governor has made the suggestion that a Phantom

aircraft should make a trial visit to the Colony in order

We do not know to confirm that the runway is adequate. whether it would be necessary or possible to act on this suggestion but perhaps you would consider it.

C. Davenport, Esq.,

DS 8

Ministry of Defence.

/(e)

RECEIVED IN

REGISTRY No.51

SECRET

-4FEB 1970

HKK 10/1