TNAG-0617-FCO40-765-Strength-and-cost-of-UK-armed-forces-stationed-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 71

CONFIDENTIAL

CBF 611/66060/2 Jt Sec

ATTACHMENT TO COS 1336/756

References:

A.

B.

COMMAND STRUCTURE BRITISH FORCES HONG KONG

(Note by Commander British Forces Hong Kong)

HQ British Forces Hong Kong 6060/2 HQBF dated 9 Feb 76.

MODUK signal SECHONGKONG 01 KYP 151700Z Mar 76.

C. HMS Tamar 710/16 dated 30 May 77.

Background

1. The tri-Service garrison of Hong Kong is rapidly approaching the manpower ceilings laid down in the seven-year Defence Costs Agreement (DCA) which became effective from 1 April 1976. Mar- ginal surpluses, essential until redeployment is completed, will be eliminated by April 1978 or will be otherwise regularised by establishment action. The combined tri-Service total of uniformed and civilian personnel is likely to be less than the 12,486 laid down in the DCA and in approximately the following proportion by Service:

Royal Navy Army

Royal Air Force

4.5 % 93.25%

2.25%

2. In Reference A, proposals were advanced for the future command structure to match the new garrison. In addition to decisions already taken to eliminate the 2-star post of DCLF, implemented in March 1977, and to reduce the post of CBF from 3 to 2-star, a step to be taken in 1978, it was confirmed in Reference B that the Chiefs of Staff had accepted in principle that:

3.

a.

The senior Royal Navy officer should be a Captain. implication, he was to be a junior Captain.

By

b. Following the move of the Royal Air Force component of the garrison from Kai Tak to Sek Kong, the senior Royal Air Force officer should be a Wing Commander. This step however was to be "subject to further review at the time".

It having been confirmed at the same time that HMS Tamar should remain a naval establishment with the new Headquarters British Forces located within it as a lodger unit, steps have been taken jointly by the Royal Navy and Army to arrive at a manning solution within HMS Tamar which will allow for the most economic and efficient operation of the new headquarters within the naval base. Plans and new construction associated with the move of Headquarters Royal Air Force and 28 Squadron Royal Air

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CONFIDENTIAL