52+ Copy No......
C.P. (55) 174
15th November, 1955
CABINET
THE DEFENCE OF HONG KONG
Memorandum by the Minister of Defence
On 15th September the Defence Committee invited me to submit a memorandum on the future strength of the Hong Kong garrison for consideration by the Cabinet (D.C. (55) 9th Meeting, Item 2).
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as being:
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The present role of the garrison at Hong Kong is laid down
"to demonstrate British determination to defend
the Colony against attack; to impose sufficient delay to allow reinforcements to cover an orderly evacuation and to show the Chinese that an attack on the Colony would mean war; and to maintain internal security".
The existing garrison, details of which are given in Annex I, is the minimum required to carry out this role. It comprises the best part of an infantry division plus one R.A.F, fighter squadron. If the role of the garrison were restricted to the maintenance of internal security, it could be reduced to one brigade group and an auxiliary air force squadron (see Annex II).
4.
In February, 1954, on the advice of the Chiefs of Staff, the Defence Committee approved in principle the reduction of the garrison to the level required for internal security, but because of subsequent uncertainties in the political situation, the reduction was not carried out. In March 1955, when there appeared to be a serious risk of war breaking out over the off-shore islands, the Committee decided that the reduction of the garrison should be deferred indefinitely.
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In view of the relaxation of tension in the Far East, the Chiefs of Staff on 13th September reviewed the matter and recommended that the garrison should be reduced to the level required for internal security and that a start should be made as soon as possible, but that to minimise the political difficulties in Hong Kong, reduction should be made inconspicuously by stages.
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In the Defence Committee on 15th September, the Colonial Secretary raised a number of objections to this proposal. They can be summarised as follows: Page 119 of 321
Page 119
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