§ Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the yearly cost of maintaining United Kingdom military forces in Hong Kong; and what is their strength and purpose.
§ Mr. HealeyThe annual budgetary cost attributable to the forces in Hong Kong is about £16 million. The total strength of all three Services is about 8,500. This figure includes Gurkhas and locally enlisted personnel. The Services are there to contribute to the stability and defence of the Territory.