QUESTIONS about the financial aftermath of the British Garrison's withdrawal are to be raised by legislator Ronald Arculli. Mr Arculli, defence spokesman for the Liberal Party and a member of the security panel, will call for details on who will take charge of equipment and other forces assets. It has been reported that the Black Watch battalion will be withdrawn a year ahead of schedule next year and will not be replaced by another unit from Britain. ''I will be tabling a question asking for clarification of the disposal of equipment and assets used by the Garrison in Hongkong,'' Mr Arculli said. ''If the withdrawal of the Garrison is to be quicker than predicted, we must sort out now the ownership of property.'' Under the Defence Costs Agreement, Hongkong pays 65 per cent of the Garrison running costs, plus the full amount for capital projects and maintenance. Estimates for this financial year have put the total expenditure at $1.715 billion, or about 1.3 per cent of total government budget. Mr Arculli said: ''My initial reaction is that, if we have paid for something, we should keep it. But, if we have just paid for the recurrent running costs of equipment, we are getting into a different area which may need discussion. ''Just because you hire a chauffeur-driven car, and some of the money you pay goes towards its capital costs, doesn't mean that you can keep the car. We may be in a similar situation here.'' The Commander British Forces, Major-General John Foley, is to reveal details later this month of the planned withdrawal of the Garrison in the run-up to the Chinese takeover in 1997. It is expected that decisions will also be announced regarding the disposal of forces equipment in Hongkong. United Democrat defence spokesman James To Kun-sun said the question of resources had to be addressed urgently. ''We appreciate the work of the Garrison, the way the Royal Navy has helped combat smuggling and the other operations involving the Royal Air Force and Army,'' he said. ''But it is now time for the Hongkong administration to negotiate seriously about theresources being used by the Garrison. ''We are in a partnership and, now that the partnership is being dissolved, we must have our own share back.'' Of particular concern is the specialist heavy plant - unique in Hongkong - used by the Gurkha Engineers and the Transport Regiment and deployed during rescues from collapsed buildings and other accidents. While the equipment could be removed from Hongkong when the Gurkhas leave in the run-up to 1997, it is believed to be more likely that agreements will be reached between the British and Hongkong Governments to leave some of it here, either free of chargeor at cost price.
