D/Sec(0) (C) 6/7
19 May 1993
ACDS (0)
ACDS (Ops/Sy)
ACNS
ACGS
ACAS
AUS (Prog)
AUS (GF)
CBF Hong Kong
FCO (Hong Kong Dept
copy to: DPSO/CDS
PS/PUS
Sec CNS
SECRET
MA/CGS
PS/CAS
MA/VCDS
MA/DCDS (C)
PS/DUS (P)
PS/DUS (RP&F)
AUS (C)
COSSEC
Cabinet Office
Mr Sandars
HONG KONG: THE FUTURE OF THE BRITISH GARRISON
1. We were most grateful for the comments received at working level on a framework of a draft memorandum for OPD (K) on the future of the Hong Kong garrison. This required in the light of the Governor's wish to proceed with a rapid run down to one based around a single infantry battalion. I now attach, for two star comment, a revised and expanded draft.
2. On the substance of the memorandum:
a.
the focus is now more on the loss of the specific ability to replace
replace the police on the border using in theatre resources rather the total loss of an IS role. On that basis, is there still a need for a formal change to CBF's directive? ACDS (0) to advise please.
b. the
the financial information in paragraphs 13 and 14 is incomplete and raises number of questions. First the reduction of £55.7m (for manpower alone) against the planned profile of costs for the Hong Kong government in 1995/6 seems very large, given that in the front line force structure we are only talking about a reduction of one UK infantry battalion. Second, it is not easy to see how the figures for savings accruing to the Hong Kong government can be reconciled with the figures in the first passage in square brackets showing the additional costs falling to MOD
SECRET
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