SECRET.
24. Her Majesty's Government's decision to withdraw their
forces from Singapore and Malaysia by the end of 1971 will
mean that thereafter any reinforcements needed by the Hong
Kong Garrison will have to come from the United Kingdom. It
has been decided that, after 1971, the Garrison should consist
of:
Royal Navy
One or two Frigates
Five Mine counter measures vessels
One small tanker
- 63 major units
Army
Royal Air Force
- Ten Whirlwind helicopters
Defence Contribution
RAF staging elements
RAF Signals elements
The
25. From local funds Hong Kong maintains a Police Porce with
an establishment of about 12,000 all ranks (overwhelmingly
Chinese in composition) and a Volunteer Defence Force abcut
900 strong of whom approximately one third are Europeans.
reliability of these forces could not be depended upon if doubt
arose about British intentions and ability to retain control of
Hong Kong or if disorders occurred after a prolonged period of
subversion.
26. The Colony has paid an annual cash contribution to
Imperial Defence since 1863. In 1958 this was fixed at
£lm. per annum and in 1966 it was increased to £5 million per
annum under an agreement which ran from 1967/68 to 1970/71.
/The
SECRET
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