BACKGROUND NOTE
In April, 1968, Lieut.Commander S. L. C. Maydon, M.P., wrote to the Prime Minister suggesting that it would be a fitting tribute to the devotion to duty displayed by the Hong Kong Police Force if they were to be accorded the title of "Royal" (he no doubt had in mind their sterling performance during the Communist-inspired disturbances in the Colony during 1967).
2. This idea had already been mooted by the Governor of Hong Kong but he had deferred formal consideration of it for fear of a strong reaction from Communi et China if bestowal of the title was closely linked to the events of 1967. In agreeing, in October last year, that the proposal might go forward, the Governor suggested that a member of the Royal Family be asked at the same time to accept, in an honorary capacity, the post of "Commandant General" of the Hong Kong Police and Auxiliary Police Forces. The reason for putting these two proposels forward together stems from the fact that the two Forces are made up of both Chinese and European members. It is thought that the Chinese members, while not entirely understanding the signiicance of the prefix "Royal" would better understand and value the feeling that a member of the Loyal Forces. Family had a personal connection with und interest in the
3.
Formal approval has now been obtained from Buckingham Palace and from Kensington Palace for these two proposals to be implemented. The Prime Minister has decided that it would be fitting for Commander Maydon to put down an arranged oral question to him on this subject which the Prime Minister would take at the end of Questions and in reply to which the Prime Minister would make an
announcement. The Governor has specifically asked that the announcement should not lay too much emphasis on the events relating to Communist confrontation in the Colony during 1967 and the Police role in relation to them: reference to these events has been avoided out they may be raised in Supplementaries.
4.
Supplementary Questions might range fairly widely and there is
the possibility that some of them may be hostile.
Hostile
Questions could occur on :-
/ (a) ...