TNAG-0757-FCO40-961-Strength-of-UK-armed-forces-stationed-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 102

CONFIDENTIAL

148

HKK 062/1

་་

From the Private Secretary 51

D

INDEX

SA

4 AUG 1973

FAY

in Taken

No niil es

Dear Roger

#7 MON

DOWNING STREET

Defence DePi

Mr. Judd

Сс

b ppr

7/8

2 August 1978

B. Gord Goron wt-Rosests.

PS. Pus

Sir. A. Duft

Mr Cortazzi Mr Milsesty Mr MURRAY SEAD, K?

как

'itkey

SAD.

Future of the Brigade of Gurkhas

The Prime Minister has now considered the Defence Secretary's minute (MO 9/1/1B) of 20 July in which Mr. Mulley recommended that the strength of the Brigade of Gurkhas should be maintained at the level of 5 battalions until at least one year after the Brunei commitment ends.

Subject to the views of DOP colleagues, the Prime Minister is content with Mr. Mulley's proposal. The Prime Minister considers, however, that since the Sultan of Brunei will continue to pay for the Gurkha battalion on his territory during the rundown period, after the Treaty has entered into force, it will be important to ensure that, at some point before the rundown period begins, it is made clear to the Sultan that the remaining elements of the battalion will not be available to be used for the defence of Brunei or in any internal security role. I should be grateful if you would arrange for this clarification to be made at the appropriate time and if you would inform me of the outcome in due course.

I am sending copies of this letter to the Private Secretaries of the other members of DOP and to Martin Vile (Cabinet Office).

Yours sincerely

Bryan Carteze.

larsteige

взуал

R. L. L. Facer, Esq., Ministry of Defence.

CONFIDENTIAL