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Ref.
CO 537/1262
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
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11.
In our view the three local service com.nders in
Local inter-survico Hong Kong should be of ugurl str.tus. co-ordination should be effected through an inter-service committee consisting of the three local commanders. consider that senior member of the civil administration should be included in the committue to assist in the co-ordination of matters in which both civil and nilitary interests are involved.
12. Since G..c. Lend forces has the major responsibility for internal security in the Colony and for dealing with Chinese Military authorities, we consider that undor present conditions, he should be appointed Chairman of the Committou. This appointment should not hover carry the title. of Fortress Commander. In this connecting it should be noted that the Chiefs of Staff have agreed that Hong Kong should not be organised for defence against an attack by a major power. consider that such Bar:11 scale operetions as might develop could adequately be directed by the three Commanders eting jointly.
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The arrangement ve propeso would strengthen the hand of the 0.0.0. Ind forces in der lin: with the Chinese and would provide mrchinery for co-ordinating the local activities of the three Services and for handling questions affecting both civil end military authorities. It would avoid the disadvantages of Fortresa Commender to which we have referred in paragraph10 above. We therefore prefer our pr pool to that of Admiral Harcourt.
Relationship between the Services and the Governor
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Te consider that the Chairman of the inter-service Committce should not as ita ngent in derling with tho Governor on matters of an inter-service nature. Ench of the local comanders should however have oquel right of nocess to the governor on matters peculiar to his own scrvice.
15. Lol disagreements between the Services would bo referred to the Commanders-in-Chief concerned, Conflicts between service and civil requirements, which annot be resolved locally, would be a matter for consultation between the Conanlors-in-Chief rnd the Governor. If those authorities are unable to reach recment, the question voull have to be referred to London.
Long Term Arrangements.
16. The organisation f command which we advocate above is intended to meet conditione existing in Hong Kong at the present time. A revision of these arrangements may well prove desirable when the situr tim in Hong Kong has returned to normal, or when pencetime rg-nisation of the higher comment in the Far East has been decided.
h.l ́ / 0.0.5.(46) 24th outing, Item 5.
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