(f) In announcing publicly the intention to reinforce
Hong Kong, when the time came, it would be sufficient to say that the objects of the reinforcement were to enable our forces on the spot "to deal with any threat to internal security and any external aggression by guerilla bands"
(g)
On the question of shipping, THE CHIEF OF THE IMPERIAL GENERAL STAFF said that he understood that the Ministry of Transport proposed to ask the Australian Govern- ment to allow one of their immigration ships to be used for one voyage. He hoped that this ship would be used to carry the personnel of the Force and so allow the planned trooping programme to proceed undisturbed,
The Committee:-
(1) Took note with approval of the fact that the
Commanders-in-Chief, Far East had already decided to despatch a Figher Squadron from Malaya to Hong Kong.
(2) Agreed that a Brigade Headquarters and one Infantry Battalion should be despatched to Hong Kong from the United Kingdom as soon as possible; and invited the Secretary of State for war to make the necessary arrangements.
(3) Agreed to recommend to the Prime Minister that the reinforcements in (1) and (2) above should be followed as quickly as possible with the remainder of the Brigade Group referred to in D.0.(49) 32; and meanwhile invited the Secretary of State for War, in consultation with the other Ministers concerned, to make all possible pre- liminary arrangements so that, if approved, these additional units could be despatched with the minimum of delay.
(4) Took note that the despatch of the reinforcements
in (2) and (3) above would reduce the strategic reserve left in the United Kingdom to one Infantry Brigade.
(5) Invited the Secretary of State for War:-
(i) In deciding on the categories of National Servicemen which might be included in the reinforcements referred to in (2) and (3) above, to take account of the points made in the above discussion.
(ii) At the appropriate time to consult the
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defence on the precise terms in which the intention to reinforce Hong Kong should be announced.
(6)