A
COS 1578/22/9/70
SECRET
78
Copy No
137
of 100 copies
Ministry of Defence
Chief of the Defence Staff Chief of the Naval Staff Chief of the General Staff Chief of the Air Staff
Copies to:
Mr R M Tesh FCO
DUS (P)
COS Restricted List
SILE OF THE GURKHA BRIGADE
1.
RECEIVED IN
REGISTRY No. 51
50
AXX 10/1
You will have seen the Army Department note (1) which deals generally with "the shortage of infantry battalions in the British Army Orbat" and specifically with the retention of the Brigade of Gurkhas after 1971. You will also have seen the minute (2) asking that the Secretary of State be informed of the implications for the size of the Gurkha Brigade of the arrangements for the reinforcement of the Hong Kong Garrison which you agreed in your recent study (3). For convenience I enclose copies of the Army Department note (1) and the minute (2) from the Secretary of State.
2. You will note that the Secretary of State has confirmed the need to put to Ministers in early October the question of the size of the Gurkha Brigade as well as the force level for the permanent garrison at Hong Kong. In order that you may determine your position over the Gurkha Brigade prior to reference to Ministers, I have accordingly placed the matter on the Agenda of your meeting for Tuesday 29 September. The minutes of your meeting can then be used in conjunction with the Army Department note (1) and your recent study on force levels in Hong Kong (3) as the basis for the preparation of the necessary paper for Ministers.
22 September 1970
P J BAYNE Commodore Secretary
Chiefs of Staff Committee
Enclosures:
1.
2.
The Shortage of Infantry Battalions in The British Army Orbat Note by the Army Department.
Reinforcement of the Hong Kong Garrison - Minute from PS/Secretary of State to Secretary Chiefs of Staff Committee.
Notes:
1.
2.
Attachment to MO 1/LM/2576/904/6 dated 18 September 1970. MO 3/8 dated 18 September 1970.
3. COS 64/70.
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