TNAG-0480-FCO40-545-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 78

GRS 230

PRIORITY

CYPHER/CAT A

FM FCO 101735Z

CONFIDENTIAL

TCP

(HKK 1019)

OPY

(238)

CONFIDENTIAL

TO PRIORITY HONG KONG TELNO 1985 OF 14 DECEMBER, 1974

DEFENCE REVIEW: PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

1. MR PETER WALKER MP (WORCESTER, CONSERVATIVE) HAS PUT DOWN

TWO QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER TO ASK THE SECRETARY OF STATE ·

FOR DEFENCE:

(A) WHAT IS THE EXISTING SIZE OF BRITISH FORCES IN HONG KONG AND THE SIZE OF THE REDUCTION HE CONTEMPLATES AS A RESULT OF HIS

STATEMENT OF 3 DECEMBER.

(B) WHAT PROPORTION OF THE COST OF THE BRITISH FORCES IN HONG KONG THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CURRENTLY MEET: AND WHAT PERCENTAGE

HE WILL BE SEEKING IN 1976

2. MOD HAVE PROPOSED REPLIES AS FOLLOWS:

(A) AT PRESENT THE HONG KONG GARRISON CONSISTS OF FIVE INFANTRY BATTAL IONS, AN ARTILLERY REGIMENT, A SQUADRON EACH OF ARMOURED CARS AND ENGINEERS, A FRIGATE AND PATROL BOATS, A SQUADRON OF HELICOPTERS AND APPROPRIATE SUPPORT. I CANNOT COMMENT ON OUR PROPOSED REDUCTIONS IN ADVANCE OF CONSULTATIONS WITH THE

HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.

(n) ABOUT 25 PERCENT, AS TO 1976 ONWARDS, I CANNOT ADD TO WHAT I SAID IN MY STATEMENT TO THE HOUSE ON THE DEFENCE REVIEW ON

3 DECEMBER.

3. WE HAVE AGREED.

CALLAGHAN

FILES

HD HKI OD HD DEFENCED SiR D WATSON

MR THOMSON MR MALE MR WILFORD

CONFIDENTIAL