TNAG-2120-FCO40-3026-Hong-Kong-Garrison-future-of-the-Royal-Navy-presence-1990 — Page 206

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SECRET UK EYES A LOCSEN

that would go would be linked mainly to border operations, for example, reductions in the Defence Animal Support Unit RAVC.

Greater reductions would be possible when the second battalion was withdrawn and when the Garrison became an unaccompanied posting. In response to a question from the Chairman whether Joint Service studies were underway along the lines of those carried out in other Garrisons, CBP stated that he was content with the permanent review/audit carried out by DAMA. DDNSD added that the Navy were anxious to proceed with detailed management studies.

ITEM 4 - RN PRESENCE IN HONG KONG POST 1992

preseNCE

13. Hd Sec (0) (C) introduced this item by stating that the current position in both planning and programme terms was that the Hong Kong Patrol Craft (HKPC) would be withdrawn from Hong Kong in 1991. HMG had made no financial provision for their retention past that date. He believed the purpose of the meeting

to reach a view on whether recent events meant that position should be changed. There were 3 key issues:

Redacted under FOI exemption 27(1)

DDNSD

D.

The effect on confidence in Hong Kong of

replacing or retaining patrol craft, particularly following the Peking massacre.

removing,

The military role that a continued RN afloat presence might fulfil.

c.

14. The MOD position as given to the PCO was that the military case for retaining an afloat presence was weak, and alone was insufficient to justify keeping such a capability in the face of other demands on the Defence budget. Mr Hatfield acknowledged that there were other factors too, in particular the need to preserve confidence in Hong Kong, which were more compelling but these were essentially political rather than military in nature. The political factors also counted against the idea of replacing the PEACOCKS with less capable craft though he believed that the DN Plans study was an entirely valid military exercise.

15. Effectively the choice therefore lay between proceeding with the withdrawal of the PEACOCKS as planned, or retaining these craft in Hong Kong until 1997. If the Committee decided to recommend the

the latter, it would be sensible to leave the financial details to be

to be zarted between the relevant staffs outside the meeting and before a submission was made to COS and Ministers.

LOCSEN

UK BYES A SECRET

Sec (0) (C) PCO

HKD