Page 252

Mr Campbell 58. 41/58

Mr. Wallace

on-Vile v. minute Mr.Carstairs. 3/1/53

Mr..

Sir

DRAFT MINUTE

Permt. U.S. of S.

Parly, U.S. of S.

Minister of State

* Secretary of State

Your Reference.....

6/ dan ce

Date..

FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S SIGNATURE

TOP SECRET

THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE

The Rt. How D

Sandys, MP (190)

Thank you for your minute of the 1st Januarỳ.

I am quite satisfied with the naval disposition in

Hong Kong, and am grateful that this has been made

possible. I accept the position with regard to the

flight of three Venoms though I don't think that either

you or I regard it as adequate.

The presence of the

(153)

(160)

FURTHER ACTION

Copies to:-

Members of the

Defence Committee

And might indeed have been formented

that commily fo

that pumpose!!

Page 252

Royal Air Force in Hong Kong is a continuing requirement,

the Gurce of the Sonstary of State for Air and when Perth agreed with Ward's proposal/in his minute

Wandy

of the 7th October, he pointed out that when these

Venoms came to an end of their life we did not expect

the requirement for them to cease,

2.

am sorry but

I regret that I cannot accept the position about

the artillery regiments. There are two main differences

between us

W

A

one of principle, and the other practical.

3. The requirement for a British garrison in Hong

the

Kong arises because of a possibility of Chinese aggression.

complicates

It is this that effects and aggrandizes the internal

ponibility security problem since we have always to face the-event?

internal disorder

wright lear

that if we have widespread riots they miškut-lead-not

only

during of but to physical th intervention by a foreign country.

In these cireumstance:

I-regard the defence of the Colony

an external

commitment which the people of Hong Kong (and

particularly the many loyal Chinese garntitled to

(P7785) 59816/7301 IMP 12/56 (P8088) 71431/7382 1MP 5/57 AT&S. 768

inessere

/look

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