1
00051
게,
Ama (94)
13087/46.
Permt. U.S. of S.
Parly. U.S. of 5.
Secretary of State.
Recyplored
No.1285
and
90
Seat (orp)
2115 21/11/46.
Leavet.
(82) Your
аё
No 140 3
VED
V 1948
REG!
No
record
of Defense
Lesene after 19360
Charles Baghli parli
and
Lead
Leansing
سم
N.
require
Chapter.
Roxy of dat
Lever
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
2
Ref.:
CO 537/1261
Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives
= condition
nd that your use of it may be subjecí
restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives leafiel
copyngh
N
00052
Top Secret
Bear Stopicton,
20th November, 1946.
Thank you for your letter (No. Cos.1385/6) of the 8th Kovember about the question of a gendarmerie for Hong Kong.
(85/8th
We are very glad that the Chiefs of Staff have accepted the view that a Eritish garrison must be retained in Hong Kong ut present. They feel, however, that ultimately, when conditions in China permit, this garrison should be withdrawn and replaced by a gendarmerie, and have invited us to discuss with the Bar office the preparation of plans for the formation of a gendarmerie for this purpose.
Our general view, as I think the Chiefs of staff were aware, is that future developments in China are so indefinite that plans prepared in present circumstances may well be inapplicable by the time the question of the withdrawal of the British garrison becomes a practical issue, and that planning at this stage is therefore scarcely likely to serve any useful ригрове. Moreover, the establishment of a gendarmerie us a protection against possible external attack would be a new development in Hong Kong (and indeed in any Colonial territory, the Palestine Police being designed for internal security under the special conditions which obtain in Palestine), and the Governor is not yet aware that any such proposal is under consideration. I am sure the Chiefs of Staff will understand that in these circumstances we cannot commit ourselves to acceptance of the gendarmerie proposal, nor to the detailed preparation of plans, until the Governor has had an opportunity of considering the matter and his views are available.
But while I feel bound to reserve our position at this stuge, I am quite prepared to agree that there
should
Group Captain D.C. Stapleton, DFC., FC.
N
Ref.
CO 537/1261 "THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
restactions Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright
T