TNAG-0541-FCO40-636-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 131

SIZE OF THE GARRISON

REDUCTIONS

HONG KONG GOVERNMENT

CONTRIBUTION

The Hong Kong garrison presently comprises 5 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.

As the House was told on 14 April

agreement has been reached on some early reductions under the present cost sharing agreement.

These include the withdrawal of

an armoured reconnaissance

squadron and an artillery regiment less one battery, the disbandment of an engineer squadron and a transport troop, and some reductions in Royal Navy and Royal Air Force

strengths.

Hansard Vcl 890 No 103 Col 137

Under the present cost-sharing agreement which runs out in 1976

the Hong Kong Government currently meets about a quarter of the

costs.

SAVINGS FROM THE

ANNOUNCED REDUCTIONS

I should prefer not to go into any details since these savings will be relected in the consultations on future cost-sharing.

If pressed7 Broadly they would amount in a full year to a saving of about a fifth.