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British soldier in Hong Kong was £3,500, while for Gurkha soldiers it was only £800. Gurkhas are therefore very cost effective troops and are moreover extremely suited to service in the New Territories and along the border where their Asian faces are less immediately antangonistic than is sometimes the case with European faces. On the other hand, there is the balancing political aspect of the British troops appearing to indicate a more total commitment to the status quo and a deeper involvement by Britain than may seem to be the case with mercenary soldiers. Further, a cut in British forces - ships or troops - could, unless the units removed were to be disbanded, result in much smaller financial savings than may be apparent at first sight.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
41. This analysis has left aside from consideration the Arms Flot, the size and shape of the Brigade of Gurkhas and the recruiting incentive of service in Hong Kong. This is in . no way to suggest that these matters do not have their own
significant importance.
42.
CONCLUSIONS
The threat of a large scale attack by the Chinese Army can be discounted as a justification for a particular permanent force level or scale of reinforcement.
43. The minimum Army force level in Hong Kong necessary to provide prompt assistance to the Police in countering an IS situation and, at the same time, carry out routine and surveillance duties along a quiescent border, is five and a half battalions or equivalent, and at the very least one engineer squadron. From a strictly professional point of view it would be impossible to recommend any reduction in the Garrison below this without affecting the ability of British forces to support the Police, and without taking serious risks. Moreover if there is any form of simultaneous pressure on the Border, there will be an urgent requirement for a second battalion on the Border in order to deter and if necessary deal with any incidents or limited incursions, and to man the Snake Fence if it is required. To suppori these, either a close support battery or some armour would give valuable additional authority. Because of the urgency, it would be highly desirable to have the leading reinforcement battalion (of the three subsequently required) available at very short notice.
44.1
It will always be necessary to have a Command headquarters on Hong Kong Island and a formation headquarters on the mainland. However, with the acceptance of various risks, particularly in matters of administration in the units situated in Kowlcon, it might be feasible to dispense with the second brigade Headquarters. Such a cut would impinge on the likelihood of any significant cut in the leadquarters Land Forces staff and require a reinforcement brigade headquarters to deal with an IS situation.
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