HC Deb 15 January 1980 vol 976 cc1422-4
11. Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the approximate cost to the United Kingdom taxpayer of the recent reinforcement of the Hong Kong garrison.

Mr. Hayhoe

Last year the cost of the reinforcements was estimated at £27 million for a 12 month period, of which about £6 million would be borne by the United Kingdom. However, reinforcement levels have fluctuated, and I cannot yet give revised cost details as the matter is under further discussion with the Hong Kong Government.

Mr. Hooley

Now that China has joined the free world and is being embraced with open arms by NATO, might it not be cheaper and more sensible to ask Chairman Hua to send a couple of platoons of the People's Army to defend the interests of the merchant bankers of Hong Kong?

Mr. Hayhoe

The hon. Gentleman goes into flights of fantasy on this issue, as he has in the past. The purpose of the garrison is to be a demonstration of the Government's commitment to the integrity and security of Hong Kong. The reason for the reinforcements has been the number of illegal immigrants coming across the border. Although there were discussions with Hua Kuo-feng when he came to this country, the number of illegal immigrants still being attracted to free enterprise Hong Kong from Socialist China is causing difficulties for that area.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

The Minister seemed to indicate that he believed that British forces could defend Hong Kong against a possible Chinese invasion. If he really believes this, he must be living in cloud-cuckoo-land. If he does not, surely he must accept that the £6 million that it is costing to reinforce the garrison—for what purpose I do not understand—would be better spent in going towards a reduction of some of the cuts being made in this country.

Mr. Hayhoe

The hon. Gentleman may recall the position when he held the office which it is now my privilege to hold, and when the garrison was approximately the same size as it is now. There has been a small level of reinforcement. The reinforcements are there to give support to the police and to the authorities of Hong Kong against the pressure of illegal immigrants coming into Hong Kong. In these circumstances, I think it is entirely justified that we should respond to the request of the Hong Kong Government for reinforcements.

Mr. Costain

Does the Minister not agree that Labour Members fail to appreciate the respect which the British troops are accorded in Hong Kong by the residents of Hong Kong and by the Chinese themselves?

Mr. Hayhoe

There is no question of an external threat to Hong Kong, in a military sense, which our garrison there would meet. Such a threat does not exist. But it is essential that we main- tain our garrison in Hong Kong to deal with the serious problem affecting the people of Hong Kong by the pressure of immigration.