TNAG-0479-FCO40-544-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 52

SECRET UK EYES A

diminution of our responsibilities towards Hong Kong, but

believe that we can make a small reduction in the present

garrison the equivalent of one Army battalion, and some

naval patrol craft, and abandon our capability for rapid

reinforcement. This would leave a force based on 5 infantry

battalions, a frigate and a few patrol craft and helicopters.

We propose no reduction in our small forces in the Falkland

Islands or in Belize. We will no longer station frigates

in the Caribbean, but will maintain a naval presence, as and

when needed, from our Eastlant forces. We will retain an

Island Commander in Bermuda and are keen to continue the

arrangement for our use of the naval and air test facilities

in the Bahamas.

In

26. In Singapore, we intend to withdraw, by 1976, our 2,500

servicemen and the frigate, maritime patrol aircraft and

support helicopters we have stationed there at present.

Brunei, we shall withdraw our battalion. We will close our

staging airfield at Gan in the Indian Ocean and our communications

facilities in both Gan and Mauritius. We hope to transfer

some reduced communications to Diego Garcia. As for the Oman,

you have heard that we intend to withdraw our forces as soon

as the local situation permits. We have today over 1,000

servicemen in the area, including the island of Masirah whose

air staging facilities we will no longer require. But there

is also on the island an intelligence facility, in the product

of which you have an interest. It cannot be viable by itself.

We shall therefore be particularly interested in your views on

*The position is summed up by this slide:

SLIDE 7 its proposed closure.

ON

12.

SECRET UK EYES A