DRAFT ON
/303//2/40 4.5. CD14/357/49.-
ra
TIGUI from the
ecretary of State for the Colonies to the
Governor of Hong Kong.
(sent 9.45 p.m. 2nd February, 1940. )
37
No.45 COIPIDETIAL.
y telogram Ho.343.
Further consideration has now been
given to the best use to which offer of Hong Kong Covernment
of contribution to war effort should be put. Offer of sire.aft
is much appreciated but proposal rould not easily fit in with
general scheme either for operations or for training and
ir inistry, while grateful for suggestion share the
conclusion that value of contribution at this juncture could
be increased if it were to take different form.
,
If at a later stage it appeared necessary to base
additional aircraft at llong Kong steps would be taken by
defence authorities to meet euch requirement.
Such vessele
I am advised that the most valuable form which the balance
of the gift could take in the first place would be the
provision of a number of harbour defence craft.
are about 72 feet long, carrying 12-pounders and cubmarine
detecting apparatus, and are estimated to cost approximately
£15,000 each. I should be grateful if you would discuss with
Naval Com ander in Chief and General \fficer Commanding
re provision of such craft if Hong Kong Government would repared.
to present them to Royal Navy. Cost of, say, six of craft of larger type plus cost of mine-gwcepers already accopted won be approximately £340,000 sterling, which would still leave
considerable balance on scale of contribution originally
proposed. Admiralty suggest that any such balance might be
devoted in the first place to upkeep of craft. Harbour defence
craft would play en important part in defence of ling Kong,
and