00110
69
13031/4/46 Part II.
Dear
Mallaby,
Downing Street,
8.W.1.
October, 1946.
We have now been able to examine the latest revise of the draft Paper by the Joint Planning staff on the future garrison of
Hong Kong (No. JP(46)179(0), and we think it
may be of assistance to the Joint Planners to have
a statement of the view we take about the proposal that a local militia or gendarmerie might be raised in Hong Kong to replace at some future date the British garrison,
This suggestion originated with the
War office. It has never been communicated to, or considered by, the Hong Kong Government, the Hong Kong Defence Committee, or the British Defence Committee in South East Asia. We are aware of the difficulties with which the War Office are faced in regard to manpower and of course raise no objection whatever to the proposal being considered on its merits at the appropriate time. But in view of the recommendation of the South East Asia Defence Committee that it should be accepted in principle that a garrison of ane British brigade and a field regiment will be required in Hong Kong until conditions in China become more stable and in the absence of consultation with the local civil and military authorities we do not feel able to go further than that.
On/
COLONEL H.G.C. MALLABY.
N
Ref:
CO 537/1261
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
N
restnctions Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leallel 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 copynght
On
appropriate have little
It has been and the Brit that for the because of t or guerillas Joint Planne to us quite develop in when it may large scale mainland. situation in from what i consider the or gendarma) garrison is consultatio useful pipe
We
that the gaj a British can be assu to involve conclusions previous dr recommendat. Committee 1
a garrison will be req China becom should be
า