TNAG-1230-FCO40-1543-Visit-by-Richard-Luce--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Com-1983 — Page 66

CONFIDENTIAL

activity of Garrison has been prevention of illegal immigration from

China.

5. Garrison consists mainly of Units from Brigade of Gurkhas; four

of the six Gurkha battalions now serve in Hong Kong Gurkha battalion in Brunei is available for reinforcement, and about half of Hong

Kong Garrison's training takes place in the State. Governor has

stressed importance of keeping a Battalion familiar with Hong Kong

nearby for reinforcement in the event of disturbances. Mr Luce is

familiar with current position over agreement with Sultan.

6. For geographical reasons, the Hong KongGarrison has provided

most of British element in exercises under auspices of Five-Power

Defence Arrangements; small detachment is sent as an Honour Guard

for Commonwealth Liaison Mission in Korea. Since withdrawal from

our main commitments East of Suez Garrison has no wider strategic

role, but provides valuable cover for UK and Allied intelligence

activity.

Naval Deployments

7. MOD are planning naval deployment to the Far East from September

1983 to March 1984. This originally included visit to Hong Kong by 4 ships, including HMS Invincible.

8. Deployment was announced in general terms in Parliament in July.

Newspaper article wrongly suggesting that twelve ships, led by HMS Invincible, would be visiting Hong Kong, was picked up by Chinese. They made it clear informally in Peking that they would strongly oppose such a visit. Invincible's visit to Hong Kong now under review by FCO and MOD; final decisions will probably have to be

taken in early November.

9. South China Morning Post reported on 3 September, on basis of

error made on telephone by MOD spokesman, that large Task Force led

by Invincible would visit Hong Kong in February or March. We have instructed Hong Kong and Peking to take line with press or in response to any Chinese MFA enquiry, that details of second half of

CONFIDENTIAL