Page 236;
5.
(a)
(b)
( ၁ )
It would mean an approach to Finance Committee. This would meet with no success and indeed an approach would do more harm than good.
It would be open to grave objection in principle. The whole question of responsibility for the external defence of Hong Kong would be raised and possibly aired in public.
Although the garrison, even with the addition of the two units, is inadequate, the presence of these units on a temporary basis tides over the years until we have completed building up the Police Force to a strength at which it could undertake more adequately the internal security responsibilities which fall upon it in the conditions peculiar to Hong Kong. The cost of this police expansion is very high, both in initial and in recurrent expendi- ture and this Government will be meeting the cost entirely. Finance Committee, although they do not yet know the full measure of the commitment, are aware of it, and it is true to say, Hong Kong has already committed itself to a very
therefore, that large expenditure on the expansion of the Police Force, which, when completed, will have the effect of somewhat lessening the need for these additional units. This in itself amounts to much the same thing as an increase in the defence contribution and unofficial members of Finance Committee could reasonably represent it as such.
I believe that our best course is to disregard some of the complicated arguments into which we have been forced in attempting to find a solution to this problem and to fall back on the proposal which Grantham made at the end of his telegram No.310 last May. artillery regiments for a temporary period of about five
If H.M.G. would provide the two years at no expense to Hong Kong I would secure the release of the contribution of one million pounds for the current year and would endeavour to secure the agreement of Finance Committee to an Imperial Defence contribution of one million pounds for subsequent years whilst the additional units remain. 6.
I should be most grateful for favourable considera- tion of my proposal in the preceding paragraph. emphasise how welcome an early decision acceptable to Hong Kong
I need not would be at this particular time. It is perhaps inevitable that the long delay should have caused some sense of frustra- tion among the small group of people who are at present aware of the position. A favourable decision would stimulate morale over a much wider field all our purposes the maintenance and stimulation of confidence
and you are well aware how vital to is in Hong Kong.
Distribution:-
Ends
Top Secret Automatic
Mr. Carstairs
Mr.
Melville
Mr. Campbell
Mr. Fairclough Mr. Ashton
Page 236
defens
Page 236
SECRETARY OF STATE
Page MEMORANDUM of 283
From PRIVATE SECRETARY
To Kik A. Campbell.
Wt.57666 Dd.7278 80 pads 10/56 LP1663
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for the
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Sect. Ref. D/GN
SAVINGRAM