TNAG-0536-FCO40-631-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 146

CONFIDENTIAL

WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT WILLING TO LEAVE TROOPS IN HONG KONG AFTER

-THE DEFENCE REVIEW BUT NOT BRUNEI:

I HAVE ALREADY EXPLAINED WHY WE MAINTAIN A GARRISON IN HONG KONG. THE SITUATION IN BRUNEI, WHICH IS NOT A DEPENDENCY, IS ENTIRELY

DIFFERENT.

SIZE OF GARRISON

THE HONG KONG CARRISON 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. THE TOTAL STRENGTH IS ABOUT 10,000.

WHY IS IT HECESSARY TO PROVIDE SHIPS AND HELICOPTERS AS WELL AS

TROOPS?

THE R.N. FRICATE AND PATROL CRAFT MAINTAIN THE FREEDOM OF THE SEAS IN THE AREA AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE MARINE POLICE. THE PELICOPTERS PROVIDE MOBILITY FOR ARMY AND POLICE OPERATIONS. CASE FOR LOCAL MILITIA OR GENDARMERIE:

VE DO NOT CONSIDER THAT IT WOULD BE COMMENSURATE WITH OUR CONSTIT- UTIONAL RESPONSIVILITIES FOR THE COLONY TO WITHDRAW THE GARRISON

AND RELY ON SUCH A FORCE.

COST:

THE PRESENT COST OF THE GARRISON IS ABOUT £40M P.A

HONG KONG CONTRIBUTION:

UNDER THE PRESENT COST-SHARING AGREEMENT WHICH RUNS OUT IN 1976 THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CURRENTLY MEETS ABOUT 253 OF THE COSTS, WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE PROPOSED REDUCTION IN THE GARRISON AND HOW LARGE A CONTRIBUTION WILL THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAVE TO PAY IN

FUTURE?

AS WE HAVE MADE CLEAR WE CANNOT GIVE DETAILS IN ADVANCE OF THE CONSULTATIONS WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT..

TIMESCALE FOR REDUCING THE GARRISON AND INCREASING THE HONG KONG

GOVERNMENT'S CONTRIBUTION:

THAT IS A HATTER FOR CONSULTATION WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND I CANNOT PREJUDGE THE OUTCOME. THE PRESENT AGREEMENT ON HONG KONG'S FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION DOES NOT EXPIRE UNTIL 1976.

CALLAGHAN

FILES HKIOD

2 -

CONFIDENTIAL