K EYES 'A'
4.
SCRET
HE TREASURY
SECRETARY TO THE
CHIEF
I have two points of detail on the Defence Secretary's proposals. First, I do not think it would be right to regard a reduction in the Hong Kong garrison as dependent on the
continued presence of the Gurkha battalion in Brunei. Certainly,
we should not give the Hong Kong Government any reason to believe
that their garrison will be increased when the battalion leaves
Brunei. Indeed, since we have not yet given any commitment to
the Sultan of Brunei that the battalion will stay there until mid-1978 the Hong Kong Government would, if they asked, have to
be told that we were still planning to withdraw it as soon as
possible.
5.
Second, the Defence Secretary mentions that the Hong Kong
Government may wish to retain, in addition to the £33.5 million
garrison, the four patrol boats and Artillery Battery at present
in Hong Kong, meeting 100% of the costs themselves.
I am sure
we must say that this could be acceptable only if they met us
in full on the size of their defence contribution, which should
be the first charge on the resources they are prepared to
allocate to their security.
6. I am sending copies of this minute to the Defence Secretary,
other members of OPD and Sir John Hunt.
11 July 1975
SECRET UK EYES 'A'
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