TNAG-2238-FCO40-3217-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 10

CONFIDENTIAL

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79/Lexa Cintamen Asal

Mr Burns

Burns

FROM: M V Stone

síalí

что Солий

Hong Kong Department

DATE: 9 May 1991

cc: Mr Paul

Useful C 12/5

ROYAL NAVAL PRESENCE IN HONG KONG

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1. You asked me to investigate further what provision there

was in the agreement between the Hong Kong Government (HKG)

and the MOD for the vessels to be out of theatre following

Lord Caithness' observance of one of the vessels taking part in exercises in Singapore.

2. I have been told by HKG that there is no specific limit

set out in the agreement between them and the MOD for the

length of time that these vessels may be outside Hong Kong.

However HKG are provided by HQBF Hong Kong with an itinerary

which maps this out. For 1991 HQBF expect the vessels to be

away for 50 "boat days" I believe this means 1 vessel for 50 days or 2 vessels for 25 days etc. No account is taken

in the allocation of costs for the vessels as to whether

they are in Hong Kong waters or not. That is, HKG pays 65% willy-nilly.

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3. When we asked the MOD here, they said that there was a

limit of 80 boats days for the vessels to be absent from Hong Kong, so this appears to be their internally set guideline. By way of comparison, you may wish to be aware that on the army side, generally speaking one company strength is not in Hong Kong at any one time. There is

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CC

CONFIDENTIAL