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24.
1 x UK Battalion.
The cost effectiveness of an
all-Gurkha teeth arm garrison, with a lower running cost and one additional company, was examined. The Working Party concluded, however, that an all-Gurkha garrison would be seen as a less convincing sign of the UK commitment to the maintenance of security in Hong Kong than a garrison containing UK teeth arm elements. Notwithstanding the operational effectiveness of Gurkha troops under present circumstances, it is questionable whether this would be retained in full if they were committed to IS operations without some participation by United Kingdom units. The Gurkha units would also inevitably develop an isolation from the British Army in general, and the infantry in particular, with a consequent drop in officer recruiting appeal, and in consequence, training standards and general operational effectiveness. The question of the Brigade of Gurkhas morale as a whole in such circumstances is also of concern but this point should not be over stressed. Finally, a garrison composed of troops recruited from Nepal could conceivably become subject to unfavourable publicity leading to pressures on the Gurkhas themselves and possibly on the Government of Nepal. The Working Party concluded that, whereas an all-Gurkha teeth arm garrison has strong financial attraction, the political and security arguments are heavily weighted against it and that at least one major UK teeth arm unit is required; this should be an infantry battalion.
25.
Engineer Capability. The Working Party considered the requirement for military engineer capability under two separate circumstances. In the event of a mass influx of illegal immigrants over the land border, it would be necessary to complete and maintain the 22 mile long triple-dannert barbed wire fence on the southern edge of the border area, within which it is intended that the illegal immigrants thould be contained. In an internal security situation, there would be an immediate demand for protective works on key points on a large scale. The Working Party concluded that, in either of these eventualities, at least one engineer field squadron would be necessary to provide the specialist nucleus for the largely unskilled labour force required for either task. The Working Party compared the merits of a United Kingdom and a Gurkha Engineer field squadron. The former would furnish the requisite range of skills; and all the trade training could be carried out in the United Kingdom without charge to Hong Kong Defence costs. The cost under these conditions would be about
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G.F. 316
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