TNAG-0542-FCO40-637-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 98

b.

SECRET

Some additional married quarters for the Army and RAF

C. improvements to 2 Gurkha barracks.

As to machinery, Departments have agreed to your proposal for a Joint Committee.

HQBF has separately submitted to MOD a case for CBF being authorised with

definitive

powers on works programmes, and this will be examined in consultation

with other interested Departments. We do not see resolution of this point,

however, as a necessary preliminary to negotiations.

Your para 4

now lodged the

If asked, you could say to unofficials that it will continue to be possible

to reinforce from the UK but that in agreeing that the garrison can be reduced

Rcknowlect & Bet to one of 4 teeth arm units in the infantiy role we have

presence of a local reinforcement by the battalion stationed in Brunei which is

available for worldwide deployment. Should unofficials question this by

mentioning our announced intention of withdrawing that battalion, subject to

consultations with the Sultan, you could say that there consultations are

incomplete and that consequetly we cannot speculate about when withdrawal

effected will be complete; that we would be ready to consult with Hong Kong whenever the

position changes, on the then current threat and the options for meeting it; but

that we are not attempting now to anticipate what the outcome of such consultation tright

- must be and are conducting negotiations on the basis of the garrison required

in present circumstances.

Your Para 5

We are not contemplating any change to the agreed draft MOU but must, of course,

be free to do so should the outcome of negotiations make it necessary.

SEGRET

1