TNAG-2239-FCO40-3218-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 262

9.

latter garrison.

SECRET UK EYES A LOCSEN

Brunei is, however, a small garrison and minor

Balanced

aspects of C2 from HQ UKLF could prove difficult. against this, much of the functional, technical and staff support is already in place for the Supporting Arms and Services. HQ UKLF additionally has the experience in dealing with overseas commands and would provide a suitable interface with the MOD.

C. UKLE Formation. Delegation of full command of the Brunei

Garrison could be passed down to a UKLF formation or District HQ; ideally that which will be responsible for the bulk of the Brigade of Gurkhas once they relocate in the UK. This option would enable the Gurkhas' interests to be more easily looked

after, but is subject to the future of the Brigade and its deployment. This would have the advantage of straightforward C2 arrangements as well as easing both the MS and discipline chain and would take account of the "Gurkha dimension". It would

however, make areas of functional and technical support to the

Supporting Arms and Services in Brunei difficult without

enhancements to that HQ. These difficulties are highlighted in

paragraphs 19-38.

Implementation Date. The date at which C2 switches from CBF Hong Kong to the designated HQ should be well before 30 June 1997 so that anomalies can be sorted out in a timely fashion;

and importantly, to

It is believed that

enable HQ BFHK to focus on the Withdrawal Plan.

this date should be a minimum of 12 months before the final withdrawal

and until that date the Brunei Garrison should remain under command

of HQ BFHK. Budgetary management considerations put the optimum date

for the change of C2

of C2 at the beginning of a financial year, and therefore 1 April 1996 would satisfy the requirements. This date, if agreed, would enable the Brunei budget to be "shadowed" by its future superior HQ for one year before that HQ assumes full command. At the agreed implementation date all administrative, budgetary and logistic suppport from BFHK should cease.

D-4

LOCSEN

UK EYES A SECRET