TNAG-0477-FCO40-542-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 33

SECREE

Among

of dependent territories, must be taken into account.

theso they accept a noed, so long as Hong Kong ronning a Bri bizka colony, to retain a garrison there to not in support of internal scourity and to maintain Sublic confidence. At the same time

the point has been made in discussion that the Hong Kong Government should be pressed to meet the cost of forces stationed there; it has been noted that tho prosent financial arrangeltente

expire in 1976, and the view has been expressed that the Hong Hung

Government should be told that we would provide forces only to

the level for which they wore prepared to pay.

4. The annual cost at current prices of the forces presently

stationed in Hong Kong, assessed on the basis of the amount by which the UK defence budget would be reduced by complete withdran

and subsequent disbandment of the forces concerned, is:

си

Dutorin.

RN (Frigate, 5 Patrol craft and support)

5.5

Army (61⁄2 teeth Arm units and support)

RAF (8 helicopters and support)

25.0

2.5

Total

33.0

This figure does not include some ex contributed by the Hong Kong Government under the 1971 Agreoment,

5.

Ministers have asked for a further study of the minimum Leve

of forces we need to retain in Hong Kong and what capability, be

any, is necessary for reinforcie zarison. This study w123. need to balance the alternatives of a smaller resident garrison

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SPORBA