TNAG-2203-FCO40-3158-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-legislation-to-restrict-the-ri-1990 — Page 2

Mr Williams

SAD

LAST PAPER

FROM: A R Paul

Hong Kong Department

DATE: 3 July 1990

cc: Mr McLaren

Mr Goulden

Mr Burns

elices

340/13

RECEIVER REGISTRY 2 0 JUL 1990

JESK

REGISTRY

son Taken

INDE

THE GURKHAS IN HONG KONG

1. During his visit to London last week the Governor of Hong Kong raised the future of the Gurkhas with the Secretary of State and with the Prime Minister.

The relevant extract from the record of the Governor's

meeting with the Prime Minister reads as follows:

2.

"The Governor enquired about the implications of the study of future options for our defence for the Gurkhas

in Hong Kong.

The Prime Minister said that we could not

allow the Hong Kong commitment to be changed, or forces run down beyond what had already been agreed for the period between now and 1997. She would be absolutely

firm on that point."

3. It is for consideration whether we might follow up the Prime Minister's comment by putting down a marker with the Ministry of Defence at Ministerial level about the importance of the Gurkhas to Hong Kong. The Governor has expressly asked that we should do so.

ASHAEA

CONFIDENTIAL

9