Archie Hamilton Esq MP
Minister of State
Ministry of Defence
London SW1
THE GURKHAS IN HONG KONG
As you may know, the Governor of Hong Kong is concerned
about the possible implications of the Defence Options Exercise for the future of the Gurkhas in Hong Kong. He
raised
touched on this matter in his meetings with the Prime
Minister and the Foreign Secretary at the end of last
month.
Members of the Brigade of Gurkhas, who currently make up the majority of the land forces based in Hong Kong, set
great store by the Ministerial commitment that there will
be a role for the Gurkhas in the British Army after 1997.
Should that commitment be reversed, a serious morale
problem would develop very quickly. The operational
efficiency of the Gurkhas in Hong Kong would rapidly be
eroded.
The Governor has advised that, in such circumstances, it
would be necessary to disband the Gurkhas in the shortest
possible time, and to replace them with battalions from
the UK. The cost of a garrison consisting entirely of UK
ESQAAR
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