TNAG-0542-FCO40-637-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 55

SECRETUR EYES A SEOP

to necessitate overall measures so far-ranging as to seriously disturb our

}

major Allies.

with

You will therefore understand how rigorous an eye we had to view

our military commitments outside the NATO alliance.

5. We recognised that while we could not continue our substantial post imperial

military presences East of Suez, we must continue to maintain forces in the

dependent territories including Hong Kong-which is by far the largest British

military commitment outside NATO. But in considering our future military

commitments we were conscious that all of it was at the direct expense of what

could be allocated to NATO.

6.

Having described the background I now turn to an explanation of HMG's approach

to the future military presence in Hong Kong. I wish to assure you that the

political basis of our thinking is HMG's long-standing practical commitment to the integrity

of the colony and the security and well being of its inhabitants.

Lessening of

There is no

this: commitment and HMG is conscious that a garrison adegrate

in military terms is an important manifestation of it. But the UK cannot afford

to devote mure military resources to Hong Kong than is absolutely necessary and

we have therefore undertaken careful and prolonged study of the size and composition

of the minimum garrison that would be my adequate. The garrison, at the

time we came into office comprised 5 infantry battalions, an artillery regiment,

an armoured reconnaissance squadron, engineers, a frigate and patrol craft, and

a helicopter squadron. At September 74 prices it cost about £50M

HK dollars. Careful study showed that some reduction from this level of forces

would be militarily justifiable, and as a first step a number of withdrawals were

agree and announced in March. The important elements were the removal of the

artillery regiment, less a battery, the armoured reconnaissance squadron, and

a reduction in the Naval presence. The remaining garrison cost about £40M at

•MK dolar]

rices/

Sept 74 prices. In further discussions with the Governor and his security advisers

the whole problem of the security threat and the forces, both civil and military

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SEOREK EYES A

UK