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of course easily block at any time a move to set up a puppet administration by annulling the instruments establishing the
Government of Hong Kong. As a result of the financial and trading consequences that would flow from this legal act, Hong Kong's economy must wither, and the arrangement which the Chinese were seeking to impose on us would then cease to have
any value to them.
89. We conclude that this would be a situation in which
decisions would have to be taken in the light of the circumstances then prevailing, and not one in which any firm instructions can or need be issued at the present time.
assume that in such a situation we would remain in direct
unfettered communication with the Governor.
We
90. There is in existence a Dormant Commission issued to the Commander British Forces (CBF). It was intended for use in the event of an emergency when it had become clear that the situation in the Colony was such that the CBF should assume overall command, both civil and military. The Commission
was drawn up at the time of the Korean War; it was then conceived that Hong Kong would be defended to the bitter end and that before the end came the Governor would leave the
Colony. The Commission comes into operation at a time to be appointed in writing by the CBF after consultation with the Governor and with the prior approval of the Secretary of State; if, in his absolute discretion, the CBF is satisfied that it is no longer practicable to obtain the prior approval of the Secretary of State, the Commission may be brought into operation on a date to be appointed in writing by the CBF
after consultation with the Governor.
91.
Since it is no longer the policy to fight to the end in Hong Kong and our aim must be to make the best we can of an orderly transfer of our responsibility for the Colony, it
is essential that the Governor should remain at his post. In the changed circumstances therefore it would seem that
the time has come to cancel the Dormant Commission.
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/I. CONCLUSIONS