271
SECRET
6. I AM CONCERNED BY THE DISCLOSURE IN YOUR TELEGRAM NO 685 THAT THE REFIT OF MERMAID IN HONG KONG (WHICH WOULD BE MUCH CHEAPER AND ATTRACTIVE TO UNOFFICIALS) WOULD LEAVE US WITHOUT A GUARDSHIP FOR ALMOST A YEAR. WOULD THERE BE NO POSSIBILITY OF REINFORCEMENT DURING THE REFIT, OR OF HOLDING CHICHESTER UNTIL THE REFIT OF MERMAID WERE COMPLETE? OR OF SOME
OTHER SOLUTION?
MACLEHOSE
FILES HK10D (3)
DEFENCE D
SWPD
PS
PS/LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS SIR D WATSON
MR LARMOUR
MR SYKES
MR THOMSON
MR MALE
COPIES TO
MR ANDREWS AUS(GS) MOD MR WARD DS6 MOD
MR JE HANSFORD TREASURY MR BRYORS CABINET OFFICE MR P C APPLETON PSA DOE
-2- SECRET