TNAG-0617-FCO40-765-Strength-and-cost-of-UK-armed-forces-stationed-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 111

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Hong Kong Garrison

16. Air. Hooley asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the Hong Kong garrison will be phased out.

Mr. Williain Rodgers: We have no plans to phase out the Hong Kong garrison.

Mr. Hooley: Since there is no air cover, no air defence and no naval sup- port for the garrison, what is the point of maintaining it, since its only option if hostilities should break out will be either to commit suicide or to surrender?

Mr. Rodgers: My hon. Friend under- estimates the subtleties of international relations. The fact is that no one except, perhaps, my hon. Friend is anxious to upset the present status quo in Hong Kong-certainly not the main partners in it. Were we to act in accordance with my hon. Friend's proposal, we would do just that.

Mr. Boscawen: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that We have the greatest possible obligation to ensure that the 4 million people living in Hong Kong do so in peace and freedom, and that only Does he agice this country can do it? that we get the greatest possible value for money in deploying in full, in Hong Kong, the Gurkha Brigade, which is at present performing this role?

Mr. Rodgers: Without endorsing every dot and comma. I broadly agree with what the hon. Gentleman said. He will notice that although we intend to main- tain the garrison we shall do so at sub- stantially less cost to this country under the new agreement negotiated and signed in December.