§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current military presence in Hong Kong.
§ Mr. BlakerThe garrison demonstrates our commitment to the integrity and security of Hong Kong. The size of the permanent garrison was agreed with the Hong Kong Government during negotiation of the 1981 defence costs agreement. The main elements are five infantry battalions, Gurkha engineer, signals and transport squadrons, RAF and Army helicopter squadrons, and five Royal Navy patrol craft. To counter high levels of illegal immigration, the garrison has been temporarily reinforced in the past, but the only additional element remaining is a Royal Marines raiding squadron.