TNAG-1936-FCO40-2762-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 64

Redacted

CONFIDENTIAL

der FOI exemption 27(1)

DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER:

PAPER XX

WITHDRAWAL OF THE GARRISON

Introduction

1.

The British side's plans for the withdrawal of the British Garrison from Hong Kong have been explained to the Chinese side in a series of papers. The present paper discusses planning for the withdrawal in 1992 of the first of the four battalions at present in the Territory, and the timing of an announcement of our intentions.

I

Background

2.

As previous papers have explained, an expanded Police Tactical Unit (PTU) will resume from the Garrison full responsibility for the prevention of illegal entry into Hong Kong. Defence and Public Order Paper X set out the programme for establishing a new PTU detachment of six companies for this task.

3.

According to the British side's planning, the first two additional PTU companies will, on formation, undertake operations with the Military to prevent illegal entry into Hong Kong. The first two additional PTU companies will thus gain experience to be passed on to subsequent companies. After the second two companies are formed operations with the Military will continue for a period, during which the Military will be able to advise the Police and act as a reserve in case of need. The Police will then resume full responsibility for one half of the border, thus reducing demand for military manpower.

the

The Hong Kong Goverment's programme for establishing new PTV detachment envisages that the first two companies will be formed in 1990-91 (of which one will be deployed in operations and one in training), the second two companies in 1991-92 (of which one will be in training, two in operations and one in reserve) and the last two companies in 1992-93 (when one will be training, four on operations and one in reserve.)

The Present Position in Hong Kong

5.

Recruitment for the first two PTU companies is now at an advanced stage. Provision for recruitment of the second two companies will be included in the Hong Kong Covernment's 1989-90 budget,

On this

basis the British side are satisfied that the Hong Kong Government's implementation of the PTU expansion plans is on course to permit the PTU to resume full responsibility for half the Border, as planned, in the course of 1991. Having carefully reviewed the situation in Hong Kong, and particularly the Hong Kong Government's progress towards expanding the PTU, the British side plan to withdraw one infantry battalion from