§ Mr. Trippierasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether there are any plans to increase the size of the British garrison in Hong Kong in the near future; and what changes in the cost of maintaining the garrison will result.
§ Mr. GoodhartThe new agreement with the Hong Kong Government on defence costs, which came into effect on 1 April 1981, provides for the garrison to be increased by one infantry battalion and support elements. The build-up of the garrison is now proceeding. It is too early to give precise figures, but under this agreement the new, comprehensive basis of costing is designed to ensure that the joint contributions of the two Governments will realistically cover the actual cost of the enlarged garrison.