TNAG-2676-FCO40-3873-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 127

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of redeploying the Black Watch. This in turn affects the figures shown in the second pasage in

in the second pasage in square brackets. Third, it is not clear whether the figure of £3.7m in savings to the Hong Kong government in 1993/4 includes those arising from the temporary deployment of a Gurkha battalion to Belize. I would be grateful if

if AUS (Prog), AUS (GF) and HQBF Hong Kong could examine

examine this passage carefully to see if we can provide some sensible figures, particularly for the likely additional costs falling to MOD. If we cannot in the time available, it may be that we will need to confine figures to those showing the saving to the HKG and talk only in general terms about additional costs to MOD. But this is clearly a second best option.

c. I have included an Annex B showing the broad shape and size of the garrison once the reductions proposed have fully taken effect. I believe we must try and include some illustrative manpower figures (there are sufficient caveats in the main text to avoid these being imposed on us) and ideally, it would be helpful to have the breakdown shown in square brackets. Can HQBF Hong Kong help please?

3. On handling:

a. given the relatively short timescale, I have copied this to the COS, in case main addressees wanted to sound out their respective Chiefs for their preliminary views before the paper is put formally to them.

b. as agreed with the Secretary of

of State, we need to

involve the Hong Kong government in the preparation of this memorandum. I should be grateful therefore if HQBF Could arrange for copies to be passed as soon as possible to Security Branch and Government House. We will of course be seeing representatives of the former at our meeting with the HKG planned for 24 May.

c. the plan is for a final draft to be put to cos in the middle of next week for their clearance in time for it to be put to the Defence and Foreign Secretaries for approval and distribution to OPD (K) by 4 June. I must therefore ask for comments, preferably in the form of suggested textual amendments by close of play 25 May.

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DJ BOWEN

Head of Sec(0) (C)

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