TNAG-2239-FCO40-3218-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 242

SECRET

UK EYES A LOCSEN

able to withdraw before the beginning of 1995.

125. Withdrawal of the Third Gurkha Battalion. The COS are invited

to approve the recommendation that the third battalion remains in Hong Kong until late 1996/early 1997; although this option will be

assessed in the 1995 Biennial Review.

126. Ending of Accompanied Service. The COS are invited to endorse

the recommendation that the target date for an end to accompanied service is January 1997, with some families facilities closing down

from July 1996.

127. The PR Plan. The COS are invited to note that it is too early

now to draft a formal PR plan; however, an outline PR framework must be agreed before the withdrawal of the second Gurkha battalion.

128. The RHKR(V). The COS are invited to note the recommendation to

HKG that the Regiment is retained for as long as is practicable during

the rundown period.

129. Command and Control. The COS are invited to endorse the

recommendation that command of all units should be vested in a one

star HQ following the withdrawal of the second Gurkha battalion.

130. RN Clearance Diving Team. The COS are invited to endorse the

recommendation that the Clearance Diving Team should remain unaltered until 1993 when it is hoped that both the EOD/IED and decompression

chamber tasks will have been handed over to the HKG.

131. RAF Support Helicopters. The COS are invited to endorse the

recommendation that Wessex force levels should remain unaltered for the present, but be reconsidered during the 1993 Biennial Review.

132. Scout

Helicopters.

The COS are invited to endorse the

recommendation that the Scout force levels remain unchanged until at

Page 4 of 47 pages

LOCSEN

UK EYES A SECRET