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LOCAL FORCES AND CIVIL DEFENCE SERVICES

week-ends and, in the case of certain services, attend more extended training at annual camps which last up to fifteen days.

Training obligations vary from service to service. The greatest burden is in those units whose members must every year attend at least sixty instructional parades of one hour's duration, six full- days' training and a training period at camp. The commitment is scaled down elsewhere to the needs of the particular unit. An allowance to cover out-of-pocket expenses is granted for attendance at instructional parades, while for a full-day's training and for attending camp, officers and members receive a higher daily rate of pay and, where meals cannot be provided, a ration allowance. The Royal Hong Kong Defence Force. The main units of the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force are the Hong Kong Royal Naval Reserve, the Hong Kong Regiment and the Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force. The Hong Kong Royal Naval Reserve mans and operates two inshore minesweepers. These vessels are on loan from the Admiralty, but are operated and maintained at Government expense.

The Hong Kong Regiment was re-organized in January to form a reconnaissance regiment with a headquarters, three squadrons and a support company. In addition the regiment took over responsibility for the Home Guard, the Intelligence Platoon and other units which had previously been administered by Force Headquarters. Numbers fell after the abandonment of compulsory service, but not as much as had been expected.

The Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force is equipped with Auster aircraft and two Westland Widgeon helicopters. These helicopters had a busy year, being extensively used by Government officers, particularly during the cholera epidemic, and on a number of individual rescue operations.

There are also three women's services: the Hong Kong Women's Naval Reserve, the Hong Kong Women's Auxiliary Army Corps and the Hong Kong Women's Auxiliary Air Force.

The officers of the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force are found from amongst its own members, but there is also a small permanent staff of regular officers and non-commissioned officers who are attached to supervise the training.

Volunteer service in Hong Kong began with the formation on 30th May 1854 of the Hong Kong Volunteers. In 1878 they were