P 5529/19/10
sir,
山
PURKION OPPICE,
3.5.1.
27th May, 1988.
69
with reference to the letter No. 53888/10/7/88
addressed by the Colonial office to this department on the
23rd Way, of which a copy was sent to the Admiralty, I am
directed by Viscount Halifax to request you to inform the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that in his opinion it
is highly advisable that the intermittent petrol which has
been established in Hong Kong territorial waters by one of
His Majesty's ships should be strengthened by the inauguration
of a regular patrol.
2. Lord Halifax is advised that, as the object of the
patrol would be to prevent violations of British territorial
waters, the nationality of the vessels which might thereby
receive protection within Hong Kong waters is irrelevant.
Hostile action by the Japanese against ships of any nationality
in these waters may therefore lawfully, and should be prevented
by His Majesty's chips.
A copy of this letter is being sent to the Colonial
office.
The secretary
of the Admiralty.
I am
air,
Your obedient servant,
(Sd.) R. G. 0