14862/5/48.
Colonial office,
The Church House,
Great Smith Street,
5. W. 1.
4th December, 1948.
CONFIE FTIAL
13
The Governor of liong Kong recently asked us, amongst other requests for assistance in connection with the security forces of Hong Kong, for authority to increase the strength of the Police Force as and when required, subject to funds being available, without the necessity for rigid adherence to establishments which cannot be altered without the approval of His Majetty'e Government.
2. The background to this is of course the situation in China. Hong Yong is quiet enough at prosent, but this might change almost overnight. Two particular problems which might arise (separately or together) are an influx of chinece refugees (perhaps including Comunist agents) and Communist- fomented strikes, particularly in public utilities and in the docka.
3. In the circumstances we gave the Governor the autbority he asked for, in the following terms:-
"You are authorised to make temporary increases of strength of the Police Force as and when required without reference to me, subject to funds being available. All such increases should be reported to me".
M. RU SELL EDMUT S, HEC.