CONFIDENTIAL
2.
159
1 calling up
Eastern Department
Colonel R.H.Taylor of C.A.(9) informed me by telephone today that as a result of a meeting held by the D.C.A. last Saturday morning it had been decided not to proceed with the commissioning of Mr.Egg and Mr. Mackenzie on the grounds that it now appeared probable that the Hong Kong Unit would not be militarised but would retain a purely civilian status throughout the whole of its activities.
I reported this to you by telephone.
It will be remembered that Mr.Egg and Mr. Mackenzie, who have already passed War Office selection boards and are ready for immediate commissioning, were intended to proceed to India at the end of this month as Military Officers carried on the strength of M.P.U. This arrangement had been finalized at a meeting with Colonel Drew and Major Owen Hughes of Č.A. (4) and had their approval; it represents an integral part of plans to recruit and train Indian Police in India for Hong Kong. These plans are already behind schedule.
If Colonel Taylor is correctly reporting his Director's decision, the C. A. Branch of the War Office have made a very sudden reversal of previous agreements and rendered useless much of our activities. C.A. (4), whom I consulted, had not been informed of any change in War Office plans or policies; they are making enquiries and if they find Colonel Taylor to be correct in his facts are suggesting that the change must be notified to the C.0. immediately in writing.
Meanwhile