HWB 4/2
TOP SECRET
Kr./1⁄2e
Copy sent to Mr. de la Mare (F.0.
8 June 1967
I think you should have a copy of the minute that Arthur Galsworthy wrote an his return from Hong Kong on the possibility of British withdrawal from Hong Kong, together with the comments thereon of Joe Garner and the Minister of State. enclose this.
I
You may consider that the minute provides a useful starting paper for the deliberations of the Working Group you are in process of setting up in accordance with the D.O.P.C. decision on 25 Kay.
I would, however, like to draw particular attention to the leat sentences in paragraphs 9 and 14 of the minute which stress the need for utmost secrecy in dealing with any question of the possibility of a withdrawal from Hong Kong. It was because of the need for secrecy that 0.P.D. (67) 39 did not itself mention withdrawal and it was agreed that the Commonwealth Secretary should raise this orally. The brief for the Commonwealth Secretary contained the passage:
"On the other hand any mention of withdrawal at this stage, if
it became known, would have a catastrophic effect on the morale of the Chinese in Hong Kong and could well lead to a landslide in local confidence. It would enable the Communist Chinese to achieve their objective with comparative ease.
We know that David Trench is very worried about this and it is for this reason that it is stated in paragraph 14 that we must be extremely careful not to consult anybody in Hong Kong save the Governor or the Commander of the British Forces there,
Against this background I would venture to suggest that the membership of the Committee to consider this problem should be kept as small as possible, and I am a little worried that any report by the Committee should be given the widec i rculation which appears to be given to the Defence Review Working Party papers.
As we had impressed on the Foreign Office the need for
secrecy in the handling of this question, I am sending a copy of this letter to Arthur de la Mare.
P. ROGERS, ESC., C.B., C.M.G,
Cabinet office.
TOP SECRET
(H.P. Hall)
124T
ZIF.
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