TNAG-0537-FCO40-632-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 14

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UK EYES A

DRAFT DOPC PAPER

DEFENCE REVIEW: 'ONG KONG

At their meeting on 9 September (OPD(74) 14th Keeting,

Item 3), Ministers decidea that our forces in Hong Kong should

be reduced and maintained without an assured rapid reinforcement

capability, and that Hong Kong should be asked to contribute

not less than three quarters of the cost of the smaller garrison.

At their further meeting on 18 September (OPD(74) 15th Meeting)

they directed that officials should prepare briefs on that basis

but should also examine the possibility that Hong Kong's share

of the cost would not exceed one half. Officials have accordingly

held meetings in Hong Kong and London with the Governor and his

official advisers.

Timing of an Agreement

2. It will be difficult for the Hong Kong Government, which is now heavily involveu in the 1975/76 budget, to complete negotiations

on a new Defence Agreement until about May. The Agreement would

enter into force in April 1976 when the present one expires.

Force levels and costs.

3. The present garrison consists of 63 teeth-urm units/

battalions together with small RN and RAF elements. The cost

is about £50M a year at Estimates 1975/76 prices (this equals the figure of £42M at 1974 Survey prices quoted in OPD(74)31). Military

advice is that in the present internal and external circumstances

of Hong Kong the Army element of the garrison could be reduced to about 53 units, without a rapid reinforcement capability. The

revised cost of a reuuced garrison on this basis would be about £40 a year (Estimates 1975/76 prices). Details are at Annex.

The Governor of Hong Kong agrees in principle with this

level of forces, and the discussions have revealed no substantial

disagreement on the costs, apart from the possibility of excluding

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UK EYES A