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likely to be required.
(b) The Admiralty policy of encouraging Colonies to assist in Naval de fence, particularly mine- sweeping, is brought to nothing in the case of Hong Kong. This may form a precedent which may be expected to react adversely on the willingness, which other Colonies were also beginning to show, to prepare to form their own mine sweeping units.
(c) The enthusiasm of the gentlemen of Hong Kong who
have volunteered to form the proposed .N.R. force will have been very effectually damped, and the revival of the proposal in the future rendered difficult.
3.
My Lords assume that steps will be taken to thank
the Volunteers at Hong Kong for their willingness to
serve in an R.N.V.R. Force and that the reasons for
postponing the inauguration of the scheme will be explained to them.
4. I am to add that My Lords hope that the possibility of reviving the scheme for the formation of a R.N.V.R. Force at Hong Kong will not be lost sight of, and they would be glad if a date could be suggested on which the question could again be brought forward for consideration, Sir,
'Your 'obedient servant,
Charles Walker