Any further communication on this subject should be addressed to-
The Under Secretary of State,
War Office,
"Works."
London, S.W.,
and the following number quoted.
Hong Kong 3/162. (I.G.F.1.)
Sir,
C.O.
46336
479!
War Office,
28 DEC 03
London, S.W.
28 December, 1903.
With reference to your letter of the 7th August last (25263/1903), relative to the transfer of Colonial Military land at Hong Kong from this Department to the Admiralty in connection with the defence of that Station, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint you for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have communicated to this Office a copy of a letter dated 18th August 1903, (D.F.10440/7013) which they have caused to be addressed to you in reply to the letter sent to them from your Office on the 7th idem.
2. Mr. Arnold-Forster agrees with their Lordships' view that it is not possible to separate Naval from Military defence, and it appears to him that so long as Colonial Military land is required for defence purposes it is immaterial which Department occupies the land for such purposes.
It is further to be recollected that certain Military reserves were transferred to the then Board of Ordnance which represented both services and not the
Under Secretary of State,
Army
Colonial Office.