TNAG-0418-FCO40-464-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 125

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LT. Gen. Sir Richard Ward inspecting the Guard of Honour of the 1st Battalion, the

Black Watch. during farewell ceremony yesterday.

'NAVY CAN'T STOP DRUGS'

ELEMENTS of the Royal Navy based in Hongkong would not be sufficient to stop drug smuggling through the Colony.

The Commander British Forces, Lt. Gen. Sir. Richard Ward, 4 this when he side-stepped a question yesterday concerning the Navy's possible future role in helping to stop the flow of illicit narcotics passing through the Colony,

"This is not a military matter as yet, but a political one," he said. "It would be an enormous task for the Navy to intercept trawlers coming into Hongkong.

Gen. Ward said that a larger naval force would be needed here if the Navy was to act in such a capacity.

Gen. Ward left Hongkong yesterday after completing a three-year tour of duty here.

Following an impressive departure ceremony that included a farewell skirt of bagpipes, a

Royal Naval 15 gun salute and a cross harbour fly-past, Gen. Ward spoke briefly to newsmen about the role of British forces here.

"Every area must have a military force," he said. "In an area like Hongkong with a high density population it is especially necessary,'

Gen. Ward said that it was wise to have a military force to help police during periods of internal disorder. He said that British forces here served as a symbol of UK's interest in the Colony and its people.

General Ward will become Chief of Personnel and Logistics within the Ministry of Defence. He will work with the Chief of Defence Staff and ministers from all three services.

He expressed a desire to return to Hongkong in an official capacity sometime in the next two or three years.

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