4. HongKong s/o Secret (oris. on 14295/3)-8.9.48
5. Procedual Wate
Реседкие
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Rogers is beng made (94054/2/48)
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Los ugun 94003/42
A
HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
No. 3. Please see procedural note at No. 5. The Governor refers to the security appreciation (No.1 on 14349/11) on which the two most important points are:-
2.
(i) that apparent quiet may give place to
riotous conditions; and
(ii) that the results of the conflicting
activities, of the Communists and the
CANNO
Koumintange accurately protected REDICTED particularly in the sphere of labour relations.
The
The Police Force is primarily responsible for the suppression of internal disorders, with the support if necessary of the fighting Services. loyalty of the Force which is largely Chinese is by no means fully assured and therefore less than of them are armed.
3.
The reconstitution of the HKVDC is urgently necessary as a first line of defence if the Police should become unreliable.
4. Apart from the question of loyalty the Police Force is considered efficient: the Special Branch maintains liaison with Malaya and authorities in surrounding territories.
5. The strength and efficiency of the local garrison since the removal of one battalion of the Inniskillings to reinforce Malaya is not considered satisfactory.
6. If there should be trouble in the immediate future the Governor would hope for early assistance from the forces at present in Malaya.
7. The Governor lists the following points which would assist him in dealing with the internal security problem:-
(a) settlement of outstanding questions on
the reconstitution of the HKVDC. This
matter is in hand on file 94054/2 ( ),
(b) expediting Palestine replacements of European Staff for Police Force,
(c) ensuring that weapons and ammunition
at present ordered for police are given priority. I have sent off Dair separately- a reminder to the Crown Agents on this subject, /~,
(a) grant of authority to increase the
strength of the Police Force as and when required without the prior approval of HM in respect of the establishments.
In