TNAG-2122-FCO40-3028-Future-of-the-Brigade-of-Gurkhas-in-Hong-Kong-1990 — Page 15

CONFIDENTIAL COVERING SECRET AND PERSONAL

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SWIA 2AH

From the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

Archie Hamilton Esq MP Minister of State Ministry of Defence

Main Building

Whitehall

London

SW1

22 October 1990

BCC

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Achie

Float SAD

THE GURKHAS

I understand that as part of the current options for change exercise you are looking again at the long-term future of the Gurkhas. As you know, this is a cause of particular concern in Hong Kong. The subject was raised in general terms by Brigadier Tim Glass of the Gurkhas with Malcolm Caithness during his visit there last month. The Governor expressed his concern to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary when he called on them in the summer. It would be most useful therefore to have an indication of your current thinking.

Wc take it from what the Prime Minister said to the Governor on 23 June (I enclose the relevant extract from the record fol

ease of reference) that there can be no question of changing the commitment to maintain the Gurkhas in Hong Kong up to 1997, nor of allowing the Gurkhas to be run down beyond what has already been agreed in the period up to 1997. snould welcome your confirmation of this.

We

As you know better than I, members of the Brigade of Gurkhas attach great importance to the existing Ministerial commitment that there will be a continuing role for the Gurkhas in the British Army after 1997. If doubt were to be cast on that commitment, serious morale problem would develop and the operational efficiency of the Gurkhas before that date would be rapidly eroded. The knowledge that the Gurkhas have an assured future is, of course, important not only in Hong Kong. As you know, the Sultan of Brunei wants to maintain one battalion in Brunei.

Moreover, the Gurkha connection has long been one of the most significant factors in our bilateral relations with Nepal, and provides a useful contribution to the Nepalese economy.

PAGAAT

CONFIDENTIAL COVERING SECRET AND PERSONAL

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