TNAG-0480-FCO40-545-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 71

1.

COMMITMENT:

RESTRICTED

HONG KONG

As Hong Kong is a Crown Colony

HMG is responsible for its externa)

defence and internal security.

2. FORCE LEVELS:

The Hong Kong Garrison consists of

five infantry battalions, an artillery

regiment, a squadron each of armoured

cars and engineers, a frigate and

patrol boats, a squadron of helicopters

and appropriate support.

3.

COST:

The present cost of the garrison

is about £40M p.a.

4.

HONG KONG CONTRIBUTION.

Under the present cost-sharing

Agreement which runs out in 1976

the Hong Kong Government currently

meets about 25% of the costs.

5.

DEFENCE REVIEW PROPOSALS:

As mentioned on 3 December we propose

to make some reductions in the

present garrison and to seek a larger

percentage of their costs from the

Hong Kong Government when the

present Agreement runs out.

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