INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES
FROM HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)
Simplex
D. 20th November 1957. R. 20th
11
15.45 hours.
PRIORITY
TOP SECRET No. 997
Page 282
9823833
(187)
Your telegram No. 1185.
Defence.
The information given by the War Department is correct as far as it goes. The proposal was discussed here with the C.B.F. before I telegraphed; he indicated that the War Department had a use to which they could put the land, and would therefore wish to re-occupy it in the normal
He realised however that with the vacation of the other land in this area now occupied by the Dockyard, the re-occupation of this land by the War Department would inconvenience the general development of the area as a whole. He was therefore inclined to agree that there would be advantage in attempting a joint solution of this difficulty and the outstanding financial questions relating to the garrison. The proposal contained in my telegram was the
upshot of these consultations, and I understand that the C.B.F., has telegraphed C.I.G.S. in the same sense in his signal (18°2/(Works)12 D.T.G. 150900Z. A previous signal Q/9 of
1807
N/R
14th November to the Q.M.G. is also of some relevance.
2.
A note and plan on the lands' position can be sent by savingram if necessary, though I had hoped that it would not be necessary to enter into arguments over the legal tenure of the land, since I fear this would evoke differences of opinion.
Distribution:-
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Mr. Melville
Mr. Carstairs
Mr. W. I. J. Wallace
Mr. Campbell
Mr. Vile
Mr. Hughes Mr. Watson
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