TNAG-0538-FCO40-633-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 210

PQ 2011B

SUPPLEMENTARIES

1. Why no air defences?

The garrison's roles of preserving

the territorial integrity of the

Colony and deterring border

violations do not require an air

defence capability.

If pressed7: An air defence

capability would only be required

in case of a direct military attack,

which appears to be unlikely.

2. Why keep forces there?

I dealt with this in the reply I

3. Ability to withstand determined attack.

gave to my hon friend on January 8th

Hansard Vol 884 Col 1697.

The presence of the garrison,

particularly along the border, helps

to preserve the territorial integrity

of the Colony and deters any

violations of the border.

сю

If pressed7: We recognise that wo

could not withstand a very large

scale assault, but this happily

appears to be unlikely.

4. Why not give up Hong Kong? We administer the Colony in the

interests of the 4 million people

we

who have chosen to live there. We

have no intention of abandoning

Hong Kong.

15.

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