TNAG-2239-FCO40-3218-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 224

function requiring manpower.

SECRET UK EYES A LOCSEN

Indeed, it is likely that the geographical separation between the new naval facility and HQBF in the

Prince of Wales Building, will bring calls for more not less

This is being resisted and there will be no addition to

the RN manpower bill.

resources.

Current Plan.

LAND

73. The current outline withdrawal plan for the land forces, as

prescribed in CDS 7/87 and endorsed in CDS 13/89, envisages that the

Garrison will reduce by one (Gurkha) battalion to three resident

battalions in 1992 - the RHKP having assumed responsibility for half of the Sino-Hong Kong land border in 1991. It is further planned that

once the Police have assumed responsibility for the complete land

border, and the Garrison's anti-IS, anti-II and special tasks in 1993,

that the Garrison will reduce to two resident battalions ("but not

before 1994"). Thereafter, the planned aim was to reduce to a single

(UK) battalion as soon as possible in the period 1994-97.

74. As already stated earlier in this paper, two major factors

governing the timing of reductions in the British military Garrison are the expansion of the Police Force and their ability to undertake

their new roles. The core of the RHKP's expansion plans was the

formation of 6 Field Patrol Detachments (FPDs), each of 170 policemen,

for border duties.

75. The first of the FPD companies, carrying out its duties under operational control of the frontier battalion, assumed responsibility for the first of the 3 Sectors (Eastern Sector) of the border in

December 1990. The Centre Sector will be handed over to a second FPD company in September 1991; and the command of the frontier will be assumed by the Police shortly thereafter. The remaining infantry

Page 28 of 47 pages

LOCSEN

UK EYES A SECRET