ABBey 1272 Ext:
321
OLYN-FORES
FOR DIS
SCHEME NEW
124/Aiong Kong/6
EDIATE
BY FIAND
From: Colonel F.G. Drew
M Packin
2/9
131
The War Office,
20
Hotel Victoria, Northumberland Avenue, London, W.C.2.
1st September, 1945.
My dear Paskin,
18 Your 54144/22/45 1st September to Synnott.
In view of the fact that we agreed the other day to omit the "dual responsibility" paragraph from the Civil Affairs Directive to Admiral Harcourt, we agreed this morning with Synnott to omit it from the Directive to the C.C.A.0. The War Cabinet Offices were informed and the Directive is, I understand, now issued by telegram to all concerned.
This omission is, of course, without prejudice
to the matter being taken up again at an early date, as soon as the Military Administration has got going. In practice, so far as the C.C.A.0. and the "C. in C. and Head of the Military Administration" are concerned, I do not think its omission makes much difference in any event; they will refer matters back to the War Office, and we shall of course refer to you all matters which are of Colonial Office concern and responsibility.
Incidentally, as I see it, the only Admiralty responsibility at the moment is to provide the channel of signal communication with Hong Kong. As soon as this is established on a normal basis, I do not see that the
J.J. Paskin Esq.,
Colonial Office, Downing Street, London, S.W.1.
Admiralty/