TNAG-0545-FCO40-640-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 73

CONFIDENTIAL

شاذل

វ

AUS (GS)

D56

Asst Sec....HERE

Principal

GSO 2(a)

LOOSE MINUTE

D/DAQ/21/78/10 Q3(A)

AUS (GS)

Copy to:

MA/QMG

Γ

1. S1

∙1975

HONG KONG DEFENCE COSTS HKKN)/

Reference....

Minicry of D *

AUS (601

-2

C

Dh

416

1. While the QMG is content to endorse the recommendations in PAO 46/75 he has instructed me to record his concern over other aspects of the Agreement which he feels must be brought out fully in the next session of discussions with the Hong Kong Government officials. These aspects are:

a.

The Schedule of Land Releases.

The need for flexibility of spend in the Capital Works Programme.

b.

C. The length of the Agreement in relation to works.

The statement of Working Frocedures (rather than principles) for the Works Programme and of Financial Procedures.

Schedule of Land Releases.

The Unofficials are almost certainly aware that during the next agreement period HMG is due to release the following sites by the dates mentioned:

HRC (a)

GSC 1

2.

GSC 7(b)

P

AT

100 (4) Principa (7)

GO

AT

DS1

Assr Sec

Frincipal HEC HD)(A)

AT

Copy

RS

Camp/Area

Shamshuipo Camp

Argyle Street

No 3 Camp

Planned kelease date

Current Occupant

Mid 1977

RCT/C Sigs/GTR

31 Mar 77

Int & Sec Coy/ HQ NAAFI

31 Dec 79

No 4 Camp

Comp Ord Depot

It is already apparent that the scheduled move of the RCT Maritime Troop from Shamshuipo into the HMS Tamar site cannot now be effected due to the reprovision construction that will be taking place within Tamar, and the move of other units out of Shamshuipo into Gun Club. and Osborne Barracks will be dependent upon the completion of Works Services and the reprovision of some Gurkha married quarters. Similarly, the vacation of the Argyle Street Camps will also depend upon certain works services being completed at new locations. view of the uncertainty of the Hong Kong WD being able to plan and execute the necessary redeployment Works Services in time; quite apart from the sufficiency of money to fund them, we must not be tied to specific release dates.

G

In

Excluding

3. The Canital Works Programme flexibility and length. maintenance the total of the capital works element of this programme has already been costed by the Regional Director PSA in Hong Kong as around 183M for a 7 year programme or $ 172M over a 5 year programme. Assuming the maintenance element can be arbitrarily held

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CONFIDENTIAL