TNAG-2239-FCO40-3218-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 209

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in

at the border or involving incursions at sea into the Square Boundary,

may well lead to greater demands on Garrison personnel deployed

support of the police, which may in turn become more difficult to meet if the Garrison is reduced prematurely.

34. At the other end of the scale, there is the possibility that

further Draconian measures by the Chinese

or in some way against Hong Kong will demonstrations or riots in sympathy, or a

and capital from the Territory.

against their own people

provoke either major major exodus of population

Employment of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force (RHKP).

35. The expansion and capabilities of the RHKP between now and 1997

are a vital ingredient of the withdrawal plan. For instance, the withdrawal of the second battalion is predicated on the assumption

that the Garrison "would reduce to two resident battalions when the

Police have assumed all its IS, ant-II and special tasks" by the end of 1993 (2). This assumption remains valid today, although it

would be premature to reduce by more than one battalion until there

is confidence that the police are firmly in such a position.

36. The Police Force, which is large proportionally to most other countries, continues to be well disciplined, well trained and capable.

There remains a determination by both the HKG and RHKP that the anti-

Illegal Immigration duties on the land border will be taken over in

accordance with the time table. Nevertheless, the last two years have

witnessed certain stresses and strains which have affected morale in

the Force. Morale has not been high for some time due to concerns

about pay, conditions of service, uncertainty over the future and the

imposition of additional tasks such as the guarding and administration

of VM camps. The problems with morale extends to police middle management, and expatriate officers - an increasing number of whom are

(2)

CDS 13/89.

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