SECRET
SECRET
UK EYES A
UK EYES À
THE DISCUSSIONS
4. The main features of the discussions are recorded in the following
paragraphs.
A. FORMAL DISCUSSIONS WITH THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT
The costing of the reduced garrison
5. A summary of the estimated costs of the "reduced" garrison had been
made available to the Hong Kong Government on December 1974.
A copy is at
Annex D. During the visit detailed figures supporting the summary were
provided to Hong Kong; and much additional information was supplied in res-
ponse to their questions. This material is shown at Annexes E and F.
Arrangements were made for any further factual information requested by
Hong Kong to be supplied by CBF HK, consulting MOD as necessary.
6.
Throughout the discussions the Hong Kong representatives made clear
their view that, if in future Hong Kong's financial contribution to the cost
of the garrison was to be expressed as a proportion of the whole, parti-
cularly if a proportion exceeding 50% were proposed, the consent of the
unofficial members of the Executive and Legislative Councils (UMELCO) could
not be expected without justification of the cost and size of the proposed
garrison in fullest detail,
The issues
7.
Three main issues underlay the discussions:-
(a) The size and cost of the garrison
The present garrison of Hong Kong consists of 6 teeth arm units
(including 3 Gurkha battalions and 2 UK infantry battalions, 1 UK
artillery regiment and 1 UK armoured reconnaissance squadron),
1 frigate, 5 patrol craft and 1 squadron of RAF Wessex helicopters, all
with their associated support units. It costs about £50M a year and
assumes a rapid reinforcement capability by a further battalion.
2
SECRET UK EYES AT
FYESSECRET
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