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Among
of dependent territories, must be taken into account. these they accept a need, so long as Hong Kong remains a British colony, to retain a garrison there to act in support of internod security and to maintain public confidence. At the same time they feel stimgly
the point has been made in discussion that the Hong Kong
4
it is
Miniftere
·
Government should be pressed to meet the cost of forces stationed there; it has been noted that the present financial arrangementa expire in 1976, and the view has been expressed that the Hong Kong Government should be told that we would provide forces only te
the level for which they were 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 withdrawal and subsequent disbandment of the forces concerned, is:
£M
Cool of a Pirfin
2.
Army (63 teeth Arm units and support)
RAF (8 helicopters and support)
RN (Frigate, 5 Patrol craft and support)
Ska gummens Ra
5.5
Gt R
25.0
2.5
Total
33.0
3
"
!!1m+ This figure does not include some £8M contributed by the Hong Kong Mike cleared
Government under the 1971 Agreement.
2548
σ
33.16.
5.
Ministers have asked for a further study of the minimum lovel of forces we need to retain in Hong Kong and what capability, a any, is necessary for reinforcing the garrison. This study will need to balance the alternatives of a smaller resident garrison
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