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Committee on 30th May 1957, referred to in
(96)
paragraph 1 of D(58)1).
This was at a time when
(202)
the naval forces in Hong Kong were much stronger than
they are now. In the meantime, moreover, the Venom
squadron has been withdrawn, and replaced by 3 Venom
aircraft and one trainer. Except in periods of
tension or special activity it is not possible now to
maintain even one aircraft at readiness or to continue
(197)
the reconnaissance sorties hitherto flown by a pair of
aircraft each morning and afternoon.
3.
does
C.B.F's directive did not include the defence
of Hong Kong against overt external attack, and there is
no question of doing this with the present garrison.
Because of its exposed position and the racial
composition of the population, internal security in
Hong Kong depends on external factors. The fomentation
of internal disorder, which might be represented as
justifying physical intervention, would be a chosen
weapon if the Chinese wanted to secure Hong Kong.
The six units provided were assessed by the Chiefs of
Staff as the minimum necessary for the maintenance of
internal security, and to maintain local confidence,
including a show of force on the frontier. A calculated
risk that an emergency demanding evacuation will not
arise has to be rum. In point of fact the Chiefs of
appen to
Staff/have doubts as to whether the forces provided
are adequate even for the functions indicated. Thus in
August 1957 the Chiefs of Staff, after a meeting with the
Governor of Hong Kong, indicated that "our financial
position will not allow us to maintain forces at adequate
levels", and again in the same month during the course of
reviewing U.K. strategy in the Far East they said (64th
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Meeting