meeting on 30th May, 1957, that consideration should be given
two
to the temporary stationing in Hong Kong Artillery regiments
provided that the Hong Kong Government made a satisfactory
contribution. The contribution now agreed upon is patently
satisfactory and I hope that you will agree that in order to
save time we need not, despite the remit from Defence Committee
5th February, await further consideration
vesar by Delen u
the [Committee before going ahead with arrangements for the early
move of the extra units to Hong Kong. As you know the need is
urgent and it will in any case take some time for the units to
reach the Colony.
N.P.4
If you agree therefore it would I think suffice if you
reported to the Comittee at some future meeting on the satis-
factory arrangements now accepted by the Governor of Hong Kong.
Sony
We
At the same time could be indin taarthat consideration would
now go ahead in the normal way between the epartments concerned
on the separate question of compensation for War Department
lands in Hong Kong. In those discussions I shall with a N.P.
very early answer on täie matter as
I should welcome
Page 164
(96) on Part "B"
support the Governors views on
the sooner the preliminary arrangements for the move of the
additional units to Hong Kong can be put in hand the better. N.P.
The Mister of seve I am sending copies of this letter to Duncan Sendys and Houston Christopher Soames. The 5.57.5. br war.
the
moper basis for assessing Compensation,
but we need no", I thmik,
go into that
at this stage.
Page 164
Page 164
TOPageSEGRET
Copy regis.
FED 508/400/06 TS
Page 165.
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES
FROM HONG KONG (Sir R. Black)
Simplex
D. 16th May, 1958 R. 16th
11
13.45 hrs.
IMMEDIATE
TOP SECRET No. 425
(237)
Your telegram No. 427.
Following for Melville.
I confirm that you may give Service Departments the assurance referred to in your paragraph 2, but I regret that I cannot see the connection between this and your proposal that I should now waive the proviso
(226)referred to in paragraph 4 of my telegram No. 350.
It is precisely because of the abandonment of our initial position that your strongest support in the subsequent land negotiations is required. I fear that there has been some misunderstanding if anything which I have said suggests that I would be willing to withdraw the proviso.
2. If you are unable to proceed without referring this point to Ministers, of course, it must be referred to them but I trust that this will be done speedily so as pot to involve any further delay in reaching a decision on the units.
Distribution:-
Top Secret Automatic
Mr. C.Y. Carstairs Mr. A. Campbell
Mr. A.J. Fairclough Mr. E. Melville Mr. W.I.J. Wallace Mr. K.G. Ashton
Treans Defence... Adimally. W.o.