TNAG-0252-FCO40-288-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1970 — Page 55

SECRET

ENCLOSURE 2 TO COS 1578/22/9/70

COPY TO:

PSO/CDS

SEC/CNS

MA/CGS

PS/CAS

MO 3/8 SECRET

SECRETARY OF STATE

PS/DUS (P)

DS 6

DS 11

SECCOS

REINFORCEMENT OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON

The Secretary of State has seen your note of 18th September and COS 64/70 and agrees that we should plan on a permanent garrison of 6 major units.

2.

He has noted that the extension of notice to seven days for the extra unit would enable us to overcome any political awkwardness in double-earmarking a battalion in Singapore or Brunei; however, before agreeing that this commitment should normally be met by a battalion from the UK, he would like to see the implications of all this for the size of the Gurkha Brigade. He assumes that these will be brought out in the papers which are being prepared for Ministers to take early in October which should also give Ministers collectively an opportunity to endorse the force level for the permanent garrison at Hong Kong.

g

18th September, 1970

- 6-

fau

(A.R.M. JAFFRAY)

PS/SECRETARY OF STATE 930 7022 Ext. 2111/3

SECRET