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£8.5 m towards the cost of the forces. Thus the total cost of the present force level is about £42 m.
A detailed breakdown of all stationing costs is given in MIFT.
5.
Ministers have asked for a further study of the minimum level of forces we need to retain in Hong Kong and what capability, if any, is necessary for reinforcement. This study will need to balance the alternatives of smaller resident forces with a reinforcement capability and forces closer to the present level but without such a capability, taking into account cost, military viability and the wish of Ministers that the forces should be paid for by the Hong Kong Government.
6. We would welcome your early advice, in consultatio as necessary with CBF Hong Kong, on these alternative force concepts and on the importance of a reinforce- ment capability. Informal military advice has been that without an assured capability for rapid reinforcement the existing force level of 6 2/3 major teeth arm units is of the order required; but that if a reinforcement capability were retained this could be reduced to 5 (together, in each case, with appropriate support). At each level there would also be 5 RN patrol craft and 8 RAF helicopters, again with support. We would welcome your comments on these force levels; and also your views on any other areas in which you consider economies could be made. Finally we should be grateful for your advice on the likely attitude of the Hong Kong Government to meeting the costs of the forces; if you judge that they would not be prepared to meet the whole cost of the levels of forces indicated above, we should welcome your assessment on the size of forces for which they would be prepared to pay.
7.
The Hong Kong study is required to be submitted to the Steering Committee of senior officials by the
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Private notes are available after approval.