G.F. 316
10.
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(Note: These figures exclude Gurkhas from units stationed in Hong Kong who are on leave in Nepal (about 7 of the total strength at any one time); and they also exclude those Gurkhas stationed in Nepal, about 150.)
(b) The Gurkha Engineers would comprise various
elements including RHQ, the Second Gurkha Engineer Sqn; and some platoons from 54 Sp Sqn which will be disbanded.
(c) Stonecutters Island transmitter, and 117 Signals Unit R.A.F. at Taimoshan are not included in the costings.
(d) The rundown of Army locally-enlisted personnel over the 5 year period is expected to be about 200 of the 1,200 currently enlisted.
(e) HQ 17 Div reflects the amalgamation of subordinate
levels of command below HQBF, the disposal of 51 Bde H.Q. and the reorganisation of 48 Bde. H.Q.
(f) The continuation of the small H.Q. Postal and
Courier Communication Unit should be further examined.
(g) Health, welfare and educational services only
reflect a minimal rundown. Although the BMH would not be fully utilized by a reduced garrison, reductions in staff would be minimal so long as it was seen necessary to retain the full range of functions. This is a definite area which should jointly be examined by the Hong Kong Government and HQBF paras. 13(h) and 13(i) refer.
(h) The Chinese language school. M.O.D. would examine
the possibility of removing its cost from the H.K. garrison.
(i) The Gurkha Unit in Nepal. In 1976/7 and 1977/8,
since all Gurkhas will not be based in Hong Kong, it was agreed that some arrangement to reduce Hong Kong's commitment should be examined. This Unit comprises about 150 U.K. and Gurkha personnel engaged mainly on recruiting, leave, administration resettlement and pension payments.
In considering the breakdown of R.A.F. budgetary costs it was explained that the engineering support is used for maintaining the helicopters. The costs also included a small Concen, and the satellite station on Stanley Point.
11.
Regarding airtrooping a regular service, perhaps twice weekly, was envisaged, plus ad hoc chartering for unit moves, Probably a tender would go out in U.K. Mr. Davies hoped that Cathay-Pacific would be permitted to tender if it wished to do so. Mr. Jones said that the estimate might be an overestimate.
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