147
It has taken us some time to review the whole
position with the Hong Kong Unit and we are satisfied
that some of this planning is already overdue. We
should, therefore, be glad to have your authority for
this increase in the Establishment of the Unit at
your earliest convenience.
As regards the Harbour Planner who has been
shown as a possible "3.0.1" it may well be that this
Officer will have to remain as a civilian in the same
way as the Singapore and Penang Harbours Boardb Planner
(lir. Cohen), though this will be a matter for
consideration later. In that event, of course,
we should not ask the War Office to include a post
for him in the war establishment. In any case,
however, I am certain that we should not get a
suitable person for this post on anything like the
salary of an "5.0.1". We are now asking the
Ministry of War Transport for their views as to
the sort of terms which we should have.to offer
to attract a suitable candidate, and för their
assistance generally in securing a suitable person.
for this job. When we get their reply we shall
no doubt have to come to you for authority for
the terms to be offered.
Yours sincerely,
(54145/1/45)